Category: Tar Heels in NFL

WATCH: Drake Maye tosses first career NFL touchdown pass against Texans

Drake Maye is having quite the NFL debut, tossing his first career NFL touchdown pass on Sunday afternoon.

When the New England Patriots selected Drake Maye third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft out of North Carolina, many hoped Maye would be starting Week 1.

When New England ended its preseason slate, Maye clearly outplayed NFL veteran Jacoby Brissett, further proving Maye should start Week 1.

After the Patriots’ 1-4 start in which Brissett failed to eclipse 200 passing yards once, Maye was finally named their starting quarterback.

On Sunday, Oct. 13 in his first regular season start, Maye tossed his first career touchdown.

Maye’s touchdown pass, which put New England on the board late in the second quarter, was a 40-yard BOMB to former LSU wide receiver Kayshon Boutte. After struggling early and throwing an interception, looking more like a nervous rookie, Maye settled down to close the Patriots’ gap to one possession before halftime.

Maye threw his second touchdown late in the third quarter to tight end Hunter Henry, closing New England’s deficit to 27-14.

Maye compiled one of the best two-year careers as a starting quarterback in UNC history: throwing for 8,018 yards and 63 touchdowns, being named the 2022 ACC Player and Rookie of the Year, plus finding himself in the Heisman Trophy conversation in both 2022 and 2023.

Maye had the likes of Josh Downs and Devontez Walker to catch his passes in Chapel Hill – and as he plays more in New England, he’ll start to find chemistry with his new wide receivers. One could make the case that Maye and Boutte have already found that chemistry, hence their connection for a score on Sunday.

The Patriots might not win many games this year, but at least they now know why they drafted Maye third overall.

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Dyami Brown’s fourth career TD helps Commanders continue impressive 2024 start

Wide receiver Dyami Brown, who played at UNC from 2018-2020, just enjoyed his biggest game of the NFL season on Sunday afternoon.

The Washington Commanders are one of the NFL’s greatest early-season surprises, winning four consecutive games and finding themselves atop the NFC East.

Washington’s latest win was keyed by a former North Carolina Tar Heels football standout.

Dyami Brown, who recorded consecutive 1,000-yard seasons for the Tar Heels in 2019 (1,034) and 2020 (1,099), caught his fourth career touchdown Sunday in the Commanders’ 34-13 stomping of the Cleveland Browns.

Brown ended his afternoon with 57 yards on just two catches, with his yardage total being second behind Terry McLaurin. Brown’s yardage total Sunday was his highest in a game this season, with his previous high (17) coming against the rival New York Giants in Week 2.

Officially listed behind McLaurin on Washington’s depth chart, Brown now has 97 receiving yards through five games.

Brown caught passes from two different quarterbacks in his UNC career: Nathan Elliott (what a throwback) in 2018, then current Seattle Seahawks backup Sam Howell in both 2019 and 2020.

Brown’s freshman season was one of North Carolina’s overall worst in program history, with its two victories coming against Pitt and Western Carolina. The Tar Heels won just their fourth bowl game of the 21st century in 2019, then won eight games and played Texas A&M in the 2021 Orange Bowl.

If the Commanders’ wide receiver group wasn’t so deep, I like to think Brown would be starting. He’s still currently on his rookie deal and hasn’t been released or traded yet, so Washington must see him as part of its future plans.

With more outings like Sunday’s against what was supposed to be one of the NFL’s top defensive units, don’t be surprised to see Brown’s name called more in 2024.

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Two former UNC football stars explode in NFL’s Week 4

These former Heels went off at the professional level yesterday.

Despite UNC football having a horrendous weekend losing a 20-point lead against Duke on the road to losing 21-20, two former Tar Heels who are now playing at the next level had great games for their respective teams.

Javonte Williams has had a mediocre season, to say the least, through the first three weeks for the Denver Broncos. However, last week, he ran like the Williams we saw dawning the baby blue in Chapel Hill.

Williams took 16 carries for 77 yards on the ground, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. He also caught two of his three targets for three yards. In a game that saw Denver put up just 10 points, he was the bright spot.

The other Tar Heels that shined was former receiver Josh Downs. Down was injured to start the season up to Week 3 when he made his sophomore debut for the Indianapolis Colts. However, in Week 4, we saw what the receiver is made of.

Despite going from Anthony Richardson to Joe Flacco in the middle of the game, Downs totaled eight receptions on nine targets for 82 yards and his first touchdown of the season. He averaged 10.3 yards per reception.

The current Heels might not be finding a ton of success currently, but the former ones are at the next level.

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Drake Maye could be starting for Patriots sooner than you think

Will Drake Maye start his first NFL game before the season ends?

When the New England Patriots chose Drake Maye third overall in the NFL Draft, many hoped the former North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback would start from Day One.

After an impressive preseason in which he clearly outplayed free agent signee Jacoby Brissett, the possibility of Maye starting became that much more likely.

New England head coach Jerod Mayo decided to roll with the experienced Brissett, though, giving Maye some needed time to learn and develop. We’ve seen other situations where teams try to rush rookies in too quickly, most notably the Carolina Panthers with Bryce Young – and Mayo doesn’t want that for his young guy,

There is an increasing likelihood that Maye starts sooner than expected, though, with Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer suggesting later in 2024.

“Maye’s progress has gotten to the point where the expectation is he’ll earn his way onto the field relatively soon, with the one caveat being that the Patriots’ offense will have to show (as it did against the Cincinnati Bengals, then didn’t against the Jets) that it can play the way it needs to in order to support a rookie quarterback,” Breer wrote.

Technically, Maye did see the field in a blowout loss to the Jets last Sunday, completing 4-of-8 passes for 22 yards. In this case, Breer is referring to Maye starting and/or seeing extended reserve action.

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Former UNC football QB Drake Maye back in Chapel Hill

Drake Maye made his long-awaited return to Chapel Hill on Saturday.

Saturday was an absolute letdown for the UNC football team, which got smacked around by James Madison in the first half en route to a 53-21 halftime deficit.

North Carolina turned the ball over four times, including a pick-six for JMU’s last score of the first half. After showing signs of life early offensively, UNC only scored seven second-quarter points. JMU’s offense scored 38 first-half points, while its defense blocked a punt for a touchdown and recorded a pick-six

While the on-field product was bad, the Tar Heels had a special visitor on the sidelines.

That special visitor was Drake Maye, North Carolina’s 2022 ACC Rookie and Player of the Year, who the New England Patriots chose third overall in this year’s NFL Draft.

Maye impressed during NFL preseason action to the point where his head coach, Jerod Mayo, hinted at Maye possibly being New England’s starter. More recently, Maye made his regular season debut in garbage time against the New York Jets.

If only Maye played defense, the Tar Heels certainly could’ve used him today, as UNC allowed over 400 yards in the first half ALONE.

Maye was in Heisman Trophy contention each of his two seasons (2022 and 2023) in Chapel Hill, only for those campaigns to be undone by North Carolina’s signature, late-season collapses.

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Josh Downs to make 2024 NFL season debut on Sunday

Josh Downs is preparing to make his season debut Sunday. Can the former Tar Heel enjoy a breakout game against one of the NFL’s top defenses?

While Sam Howell and Drake Maye might get most of the credit for UNC’s explosive offense in 2021 and 2022, there’s a talented wide receiver behind that success, too.

That wide receiver is Josh Downs, who currently enters his second NFL season with the Indianapolis Colts.

Downs was seventh amongst NFL rookies with 771 receiving yards last year, carving himself out a starting role for Indy in the process. He missed the Colts’ first two games this season, though, as he suffered a high ankle sprain during training camp.

With Indy preparing to host the Chicago Bears on Sunday, looking for its first win after a pair of tough losses, Josh Downs is also preparing to make his season debut.

Downs surpassed the 1,000-receiving yard mark at North Carolina in both 2021 and 2022, earning first team All-ACC honors in the process. He was the Tar Heels’ clear number one – and it paid off with his third round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.

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Downs caught passes from two quarterbacks last year, Anthony Richardson and Gardner Minshew, so his rookie breakout season was that much more impressive.

This season, with Richardson fully healthy from a shoulder injury sustained early in 2023, Downs should enjoy an even more productive sophomore campaign.

Why not start with a big game against Chicago on Sunday?

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Former UNC RB Ty Chandler delivers big day for Minnesota Vikings

Should former Tar Heel Ty Chandler be the Minnesota Vikings’ starting running back?

The North Carolina Tar Heels were extremely lucky to have Ty Chandler for their 2022 season, as he joined a long list of running backs to hit the 1,000-yard mark in a single season.

Chandler’s lone year in Chapel Hill wasn’t a successful year overall, with UNC finishing 6-7. North Carolina did make a bowl game, but lost in the 2021 Duke’s Mayo Bowl to South Carolina.

The Minnesota Vikings then selected Chandler in the 2022 NFL Draft, taking him in the fifth round. While Chandler’s played primarily as a backup, he’s also shined in limited action as a starter.

Chandler shined yet again on Sunday, Sept. 15 in the Minnesota Vikings’ 22-17 upset win of the reigning NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers.

Primarily in relief of Minnesota starting running back Aaron Jones, Chandler carried the football 10 times for 82 yards, averaging 8.2 yards per carry. Chandler’s highlight was in the second quarter with the Vikings up 10-0, when he broke off a 25-yard carry to pick up a huge first down.

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As long as Jones is in Minnesota, Chandler will continue seeing a majority of his touches in a secondary role. Even with Jones’ injury, which wasn’t too serious because he returned to the playing field, Chandler’s production should earn him extended playing time.

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Former UNC QBs exchange jerseys after Week 2 NFL Action

The Seattle Seahawks-New England Patriots matchup involved two former star UNC quarterbacks.

The North Carolina Tar Heels were extremely lucky to have elite quarterback production over the past five seasons.

Sam Howell started at UNC from 2019-2021, breaking 27 school records in the process. Drake Maye started for North Carolina in both 2022 and 2023, playing himself into the Heisman Trophy conversation each year, plus leading the Tar Heels to hot starts and high rankings each year.

The Washington Commanders took Howell in the 2021 NFL Draft, but he is now playing for the Seattle Seahawks. The New England Patriots took Maye third overall this year, but he is backing up Jacoby Brissett.

On Sunday, Sept. 15 after the Patriots and Seahawks played each other, Howell and Maye exchanged jerseys in an always-popular postgame tradition.

Howell initially started his career as Carson Wentz’ backup, then beat out Jacoby Brissett as the starter for 2023. Poor play led to Howell’s benching, though, and eventual trade to Seattle for a fresh start.

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Ironically enough, Maye is now the backup to Brissett in New England. Maye started out training camp rough, then improved drastically and – after the preseason – had people wondering if he beat out Brissett for the Patriots’ starting job.

It’s always fun watching a pair of former Tar Heels play at the next level. Imagine how cool it would’ve been if Maye and Howell started.

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Former UNC linebacker Amari Gainer makes final cut for Las Vegas Raiders’ 2024 roster

You might recognize this former Tar Heel on the Las Vegas Raiders’ finalized, 53-man roster.

Amari Gainer only needed one season at UNC to prove he was good enough for the NFL.

Gainer, a linebacker who transferred from Florida State to North Carolina last offseason, made a valuable impact during the 13 games he played in Carolina Blue. Gainer totaled 27 tackles (17 solo), six tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two pass breakups, a quarterback hurry and forced fumble apiece.

Unfortunately for Gainer, he wasn’t chosen in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Las Vegas Raiders liked what they saw in Gainer, though, signing him as an undrafted free agent.

UNC head coach Mack Brown congratulated Gainer in an Instagram post Tuesday, thanking his 2023 linebacker for his brief time

After the preseason, Las Vegas loved what it saw in Gainer, announcing the former Tar Heel made its final, 53-man roster on Tuesday afternoon.

Gainer was all over the field in just three preseason games for the Raiders, recording 13 total tackles (10 solo, three assisted) and four stuffs (NFL equivalent of tackles for loss). He’ll join a fairly young linebacking corps with the likes of former Virginia Tech standout Divine Diablo.

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Las Vegas isn’t expected to have a great year, but Gainer can showcase he’s a crucial part of the team’s success with a strong rookie showing.

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Former UNC running back makes Houston Texans 53-man roster

Former UNC football running back British Brooks made the Houston Texas 53-man roster today.

Former UNC football players around the league held their breath as all NFL rosters had to be cut down to 53 men today. After a training camp and preseason roster of over 70 men, 20+ of them theoretically, had to be waived from 32 teams.

One of those former Tar Heels, British Brooks, was one whose name was easily on the chopping block. The running back room in Houston brought in Joe Mixon from Cincinnati and had Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, and Cam Akers along with more.

However, Brooks was not one of the players that the Texans decided to cut and did enough in the preseason to warrant a spot on a team.

Brooks ran one time for negative two yards in the Hall of Fame game in his first NFL action. He proceeded to run two times for three years in Week 1 of the preseason against the Steelers.

Week 3 is when he exploded onto the scene rushing five times for 23 yards and two touchdowns against the Giants. He capped it off with a five-attempt, 25-yard game against the Rams last weekend.

Houston chose to be thin in other areas to keep five tailbacks on the roster, the four aforementioned ones, and Brooks.

Brooks will now have the opportunity to make a name for himself and North Carolina at the professional level for the time being!

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