North Carolina Football: Breaking down QB battle for 2019

North Carolina football’s starting quarterback job will be battled out between two redshirt freshmen and one true freshman

North Carolina is a school that has had solid quarterback play since the early 2000s with guys like Darian Durant, T.J. Yates, Bryn Renner, Marquise Williams and Mitch Trubisky all having success under center during that time period for the Tar Heels.

After Trubisky’s last year in 2016, the Tar Heels have been in search for a quarterback. During the 2017 and 2018 seasons, the Tar Heels have had five different starting quarterbacks and only one of those guys is on the roster for 2019.

The Tar Heels are 5-18 over the past two seasons, which led to the firing of Larry Fedora this offseason and return of former head coach Mack Brown. He has coached some legendary college quarterbacks when he was at Texas in Vince Young and Colt McCoy, and will be looking to find the next great quarterback at North Carolina.

With the history of North Carolina having solid quarterback play and the resume of some of the great quarterbacks Brown has coached, it’s only a matter of time before the Tar Heels have a solid quarterback under center again.

Competing for the starting job will be two redshirt freshmen in Cade Fortin and Jace Ruder as well as highly-touted true freshman Sam Howell.

Fortin has the most experience out of any of the three as he started two games in 2018, but kept his redshirt. Ruder also had a few plays in 2018 and kept his redshirt as well. Howell is a former Florida State commit who changed his mind and decided to come to UNC.

While no one has been named the starter yet, UNC will want to have someone they feel comfortable with as they open up the season against South Carolina. Each guy needs experience and the opportunity to learn and grow.

Let’s break down some film and look at what each guy brings to the table.