UNC Pro Day 2022 Recap
CHAPEL HILL, NC – With various NFL scouts and Head Coach Mack Brown in attendance, The Koman Indoor Practice Complex hosted UNC Pro Day 2022 this morning, where participants were checked in for their height, weight, arm, hand and wingspan, as they were times for the 40-yard-dash, position drills (Passing Drills with the Quarterback/Runningback/Tight End/Wideouts, Offensive Line/Tight End/Wide Receiver, Defensive End/Inside Linebacker, Defensive Back and PAT/Field Goal attempts), while also being tested on their jumps, agility, 3-Cones and Bench Presses.
Quarterback Sam Howell (Waynesville, NC) was the highlight of the participants in the event. He performed well, thanks to succeeding on short and intermediate passes, throwing a total of 40 passes. He was looked at by the New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles, and Houston Texans.
On his performance, “I had some of my former teammates to come and throw around to for a little bit,” the Senior Quarterback commented. He added, “It was a good session. I wanted to show these guys what I wanted to show. The main thing is being consistent with the footwork and I’m very comfortable doing that stuff.” He pointed out, “I’m trying to get better and better each and every day and working on myself.”
Howell’s Redshirt Sophomore Season in 2019, put him in the map. That season, he recorded 3,641 passing yards and 38 touchdowns. However, in the next two seasons, his numbers in both of those categories declined, with his 154.2 efficiency rating being the lowest of his career.
Graduate Senior Runningback Ty Chandler (Nashville, TN) is another draft prospect who participated in Pro Day. According to NFL scouts, he is projected to be drafted in the third day. He showcased his versatile ability on his outstanding talent in running his routes, to go along with his exemplary skills using his hands. Some of those skills were reminiscent of his 2021 season rushing for over 1,000 yards.
On Chandler’s ability, Howell complimented, “ He’s such a good runner from the running back position.” In addition to this, he stated, “Everyone knows he can do it from the running back position, but really, his ability to be a weapon in the passing game is what makes Ty special.” On his performance on the Pro Day, Chandler explained, “I’ve just been grinding, working hard on these drills, and now it’s all about starting that transition to get more into football stuff.”
Newnan, GA Senior Linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel looked to shake off the long layoff he endured from having surgery on his left shoulder. Gemmel pointed out, “ I am 10 weeks out from surgery, so I really just got cleared two weeks ago to flip my hips and move around. Going through the drills, it felt like I did a really good job.” Gemmel was only able to participate in position, agility, and the three-cone drills during the Pro Day. Despite his talent as a defensive specialist, he exhibits strong leadership skills, even as the team ranked 94th in the nation with their defense.
While the Tar Heels will lose their stalwarts Gemmel, Howell, and Chandler, they will welcome a strong recruiting class for Head Coach Mack Brown to look forward to for a successful 2022 season.