CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell is forgoing his senior season to enter the NFL draft.


What You Need To Know

  • The junior is considered a potential first-round draft pick

  • Howell is North Carolina's most prolific quarterback, with career records in yards passing (10,283) and total offense (11,292)

  • The Tar Heels had a disappointing season, finishing 6-7 with a bowl loss to South Carolina

Howell's decision was not surprising, but he made it official Saturday with a video posted on North Carolina football's official Twitter account. He is considered a potential first-round draft pick.

The junior will leave college as North Carolina's most prolific quarterback, with career records in yards passing (10,283) and total offense (11,292).

The 6-foot-1, 220 pounder from Indian Trail, N.C., was a blue-chip recruit out of high school who changed his mind late and signed with the Tar Heels and coach Mack Brown instead of Florida State.

Howell thanked teammates, coaches, North Carolina fans and God during his goodbye video.

“I'll forever be grateful for my time here at Carolina and for all the people who made it so special,” Howell said.

Howell leaves after a disappointing season for the Tar Heels, who started the season ranked No. 10 in the AP Top 25 and favored to win the Atlantic Coast Conference's Coastal Division, but finished 6-7 with a bowl loss to South Carolina.