The North Carolina Tar Heels are lucky, in recent seasons, to have extreme talent at the quarterback spot.
UNC first had Sam Howell, who broke over 20 school records from 2019-2021. Howell, who formerly played for the Washington Commanders is now backing up Geno Smith on the Seattle Seahawks.
After Howell came Drake Maye, whom I know North Carolina want back in a heartbeat. Maye declared for the 2024 NFL Draft after three years, to no one’s surprise, with the New England Patriots later selecting him third overall.
Maye didn’t win New England’s starting quarterback job this offseason, but became the starter in October, after inefficient play from Jacoby Brissett.
For the lack of an offensive line and overall talent on the Patriots, Maye played solid football in his rookie NFL season: 2,276 passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 421 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Though Maye didn’t earn a Pro Bowl honor or make any All-Rookie teams, his play caught the eye of one former NFL legend.
Rob Gronkowski, a 4-time Super Bowl winning in New England and future Hall of Famer, praised Maye for Year One in the NFL.
“I think Drake Maye was phenomenal this year,” Gronkowski told USA Today’s Crissy Froyd. “He exceeded expectations. There’s no doubt about that. Just the way he went in and how he handles himself. Just the energy, the aura that he has around him, he’s going to be a special player for quite some time. The way that he just carries himself as well.”
Maye threw for a career-high three touchdown passes in his first start, back on October 13 in a 41-21 loss to the Houston Texans.
Gronk also sees franchise player traits in Maye, who showed a ton of poise – and maturity – in Year One.
“I’ve never met him before, but I feel like you can just tell in how he plays the game that he’s the guy that wants to get better,” Gronkowski told Froyd.. “He wants to take in the coaching and he wants to grow year in and year out. That’s what is going to make him a special player for several years to come.”
With the Patriots sporting a high draft pick and plenty of cap space entering the 2025 season, Maye should grow even more in his “Sophomore” year.
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