North Carolina Football: Breaking down QB battle for 2019

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CHAPEL HILL, NC – OCTOBER 13: Houshun Gaines #11 of the Virginia Tech Hokies pressures Cade Fortin #6 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Virginia Tech won 22-19. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Cade Fortin

Redshirt freshman Cade Fortin is a big guy with a strong arm who can move around enough to avoid pressure when needed. While he probably isn’t the athlete that Jace Ruder and Sam Howell are, he has enough mobility to get out of trouble.

Fortin’s arm strength is evident after just watching a brief amount of film. He can make every throw on the field and has the ability to get the ball to his playmakers. Even though he didn’t get a lot of playing time last year, he still had over 60 pass attempts and two starts last year. That is valuable experience that the other two quarterbacks do not have.

In 2018, Fortin showed glimpses of the potential that he has, especially in the game against NC State where he almost led the Tar Heels to an upset win, but lost in overtime. If he can pick up the offense and build off what he did last year, he should be one of the top two guys in this competition — he finished the season with two total touchdowns, 388 passing yards and 76 rushing yards.

While he only completed 2-of-6 passes in the spring game, his experience and ability to throw the ball will keep him in the competition.

Below is a clip of Fortin’s passing touchdown last year against NC State. He effortlessly flicks the ball over 40 yards for a touchdown to keep UNC in the game.

The opportunity is there for Fortin, but he has to hold off two talented freshmen.

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