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Tar Heel NFL Check-In: Top Performances from Preseason Week One

EvanRogersby: Evan Rogers08/11/25
Willie Lampkin
Willie Lampkin (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

The NFL held its first full slate of preseason games this past weekend. Multiple former UNC players made their mark in those games. 

Here’s a look into some of those standout performances from the weekend.

Sam Howell Engineers Long Scoring Drive

Sam Howell, who over his three seasons at Carolina became the program’s all-time leader in passing and touchdowns, now is on his third NFL team in as many years. Howell was selected by the Washington Commanders in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He spent two seasons in Washington, before spending last year with the Seattle Seahawks. And now Howell finds himself in a backup role for the Minnesota Vikings. 

It’s a Vikings’ quarterback room that has a lot of question marks heading into this season. The presumed starter is J.J. McCarthy, a first round selection a year ago who tore his meniscus in the preseason last season. Veteran backup Brett Rypien — who’s thrown nine interceptions compared to four touchdowns over six seasons in the NFL — and rookie Max Brosmer round out the room.

Granted it’s just one preseason showing, but Howell made quite the first impression in the Vikings’ preseason opener on Saturday. He threw for 105 yards on 11-and-13 passing, and led one of two touchdown drives for Minnesota. Howell’s 14-play, 94-yard scoring drive was capped off by a one-yard quarterback sneak for a score. Bryson Nesbit provided two receptions for 14 yards for the Vikings in his first NFL action.

Willie Lampkin Earns Highest Grade

Lampkin’s underdog journey to the NFL has been well documented. Across his two seasons at UNC, he became the Tar Heels’ most productive offensive lineman all while standing at an undersized 5-foot-11, 290 pounds. Last season Lampkin earned first team All-American honors and was awarded the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, the highest distinction for an offensive lineman in ACC football.

Lampkin went undrafted in this year’s NFL Draft, but ultimately signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent (3-year, $2,995,000 contract). He was a standout in the Rams’ preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys. Lampkin was the Rams’ highest-graded overall player, earning a stellar mark of 94.1, according to Pro Football Focus. Lampkin spent most of his time at center (28 snaps), but also saw action at left guard (four snaps).

Fellow Tar Heel offensive lineman Asim Richards and Joshua Ezeudu also graded out well over the weekend. Richards (Dallas Cowboys) earned the highest pass blocking grade of any offensive lineman, according to PFF. And Ezeudu (New York Giants) was right behind with the second-highest grade (88.5).

Power Echols Sets Up Touchdown

Echols saw his first NFL action with the Chicago Bears on Sunday. The hard-hitting Echols signed a free agent deal with the Bears after going undrafted in this year’s NFL Draft. He surpassed 100 tackles in back-to-back seasons in 2022 and 2023, and made 39 consecutive starts for Carolina.

In his professional debut, Echols pounced on a fumble by Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers late in the third quarter. That set up the Bears with prime field position inside the 5-yard line, and Chicago would capitalize with a touchdown on the ensuing drive. Echols finished with one tackle and played in 21 snaps.