CHARLOTTE, N.C. — From the Queen City to New England, Drake Maye will look to continue his triumphs on the gridiron.
The New England Patriots selected Maye with the third pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday. Maye was one of the top prospects in the 2024 draft after a stellar career at the University of North Carolina.
With UNC, Maye was named the 2022 ACC Player of the Year in his sophomore season after throwing for 4,300 yards, 38 touchdowns, and completing 66% of his passes. Maye led the Tarheels to their second all-time ACC Championship appearance that season.
Maye had another solid season in 2023, throwing for 3,600 yards, 24 touchdowns, and rushing for nine touchdowns.
Before his time at Chapel Hill, Maye was a two-sport star at Myers Park High School in Charlotte. He tossed 50 touchdowns in his junior year and led the Mustangs to the third round of the 2019 4AA Football State Playoffs. Maye did not play during his senior year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maye initially committed to the University of Alabama but later switched to UNC.
With the only quarterbacks on the Patriots roster being Bailey Zappe and Nathan Rourke, Maye is likely to get playing time early on in his rookie year. New England released quarterback Mac Jones this offseason after an abysmal 2023 season thwarted a once-promising career.
The Patriots finished 4-13 in 2023, the team's worst record since 1992. Longtime legendary head coach Bill Belichick parted ways with the team after the season, ending a 24-year era.