UNC QB DRAKE MAYE FOREGOES BOWL GAME, DECLARES FOR NFL DRAFT
University of North Carolina quarterback, Drake Maye, has decided to forego his team’s bowl game and declare for the NFL Draft in April next year, the 2022 ACC Player of the Year announced on Monday.
In a statement posted on his social media, Maye thanked his family, coach Mack Brown and the rest of the coaching staff at Carolina before confirming his absence for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Dec 27th as he plans to prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft.
“First off, I want to thank the good Lord for the ways in which he continues to bless my life. I want to thank my family and friends for the consistent support through the ups and downs,” said Maye. “Thank you, Coach [Mack] Brown, for the opportunity to live out my dream of playing quarterback in Carolina Blue. To the rest of the coaching staff and support staff, thank you for the countless hours of helping me along the way.”
“Tar Heel Nation, the best fans out there, you have made my time at UNC truly special, thank y’all. I have decided to forego the bowl game and declare for the NFL Draft. Forever and always, Go Heels!”
Maye is the son of a former UNC quarterback and is the youngest brother from a family of accomplished Tar Heels, including two older brothers who won national championships in baseball and basketball at UNC. Maye has spent three seasons in Chapel Hill and redshirted his true freshman season in 2021 behind starter Sam Howell and backup Jacolby Criswell.
One of the best quarterbacks coming out of college, the North Carolina native is projected to go early in the first round following an impressive collegiate career. Maye played just 26 games for the Tar Heels but ranks fifth all-time in passing yards (8,018) in school history, fourth in touchdown passes (63), fourth in total offense (9,227 yards), and is tied for third in total touchdowns with 79.
The 21-year-old was set to play for the Tar Heels against West Virginia in a couple of weeks but will now shift his attention to the draft process and the NFL Combine in the spring.
Maye’s decision to declare for the draft is hardly a surprise considering how coveted by NFL Scouts he’s been this season. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound third-year sophomore is projected on most mock drafts to be the second quarterback selected in the draft, trailing only USC’s Caleb Williams and should go in the top three picks in next spring’s draft.
Maye closed out his career in a lopsided 20-39 away loss at rival North Carolina State last month, and should be fully healthy throughout the draft process after suffering an ankle injury in that game. After a breakout year in 2022 in which the Charlotte-born quarterback threw for 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns while running for 698 yards and seven scores, Maye saw minor dips in his statistics in 2023.
The former ACC Rookie of the Year’s completion percentage dropped from 66.2% to 63.3% this year as he registered 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns. Maye, however, still ranked second in the country in total offense (338.1 yards per game) and eighth in passing yards (300.7 per game).
With Maye following in his predecessor Sam Howell’s NFL footsteps, redshirt freshman Conner Harrell is set to take over the reins at quarterback for the Tar Heels moving forward. Harrell has already made four appearances for UNC this season, including the aforementioned NC State loss when Maye was forced to exit the game.
The University of North Carolina also announced that All-ACC linebacker Cedric Gray, wide receiver Devontez ‘Tez’ Walker, offensive lineman Corey Gaynor, and defensive lineman Myles Murphy are also entering the draft. Murphy is the only player of that group set to play in the bowl game in Charlotte.
UNC Head Coach Mack Brown spoke about next year’s draftees in a statement on Monday. “We want to thank these young men for all they’ve contributed to Carolina football during their times with the program,” said Brown. “It’s been a pleasure to watch them grow and flourish both on the field and off.”
“We wish them nothing but the best and look forward to watching them represent UNC as they move on to the next chapters of their careers.”
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero
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