The North Carolina Tar Heels’ football program will host its annual Spring game this Saturday and it will be an early preview of what to expect for the upcoming season which is still months away. The next time fans will see this UNC team on the field will be late Summer and the excitement is starting to build.
A big reason for that excitement is quarterback Drake Maye.
After impressing in his first year as a starter in 2022, Maye is back for another year to lead UNC’s offense. He’s considered one of the best quarterbacks in the country and should be a legit Heisman contender as well.
On Monday, ESPN released its list of the top 10 quarterbacks in college football for 2023 and only two quarterbacks were ranked ahead of Maye — Caleb Williams and Michael Penix Jr.
Here is what ESPN said about Maye who comes in at No. 3:
It is remarkable that at this time last year, Maye was in the middle of an unsettled quarterback competition with Jacolby Criswell, considering what unfolded in 2022. Maye — a player who was not declared the starter until fall camp — ended up becoming one of the most prolific quarterbacks in the nation, starting 14 games and winning ACC Player of the Year, ACC Offensive Player of the Year, ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year. His firm grip of the Phil Longo offense allowed him to set multiple single-season records, including passing yards and passing touchdowns, and his ability to make plays with his legs also helped. In short, if Maye had been eligible to enter the NFL draft after last season, he would be in the discussion to be the No. 1 quarterback taken.
He certainly will be in that conversation headed into the 2024 draft. But first, he has another season to polish his credentials and help the Tar Heels try to win an ACC title. This season comes with its fair share of questions. Longo left for Wisconsin, and new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey takes over. Maye was consulted on the new coordinator hire, for obvious reasons, but there is no question there will be a bit of a learning curve in the new scheme. Maye also must break in a new group of receivers, with Josh Downs and Antoine Green off to the NFL. Despite those questions, Maye has proved himself to be an elite thrower and a student of the game, with an elite skill set that will once again put him in position to turn heads and make plays. — Andrea Adelson
Of the 12 voters, Maye received one first-place vote and a total of 93 points in the rankings.
Seeing Williams ahead of Maye really isn’t a surprise but seeing Penix there at No. 2 is. Most analysts and lists this offseason have Maye and Williams as the top two quarterbacks this year.
Maye gets the chance to prove he does belong as a top quarterback with a big 2023 season.
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