North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye announced on Monday that he will forego the Tar Heels’ matchup against West Virginia in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl and enter the 2024 NFL draft.
Maye, who is projected as a contender for the No. 1 pick in next April’s draft, put together a strong campaign in the 2023 season, finishing with 3,608 passing yards and 24 touchdowns while rushing for 449 yards and nine scores. He led the ACC in passing yards this season.
Shortly before Maye’s official announcement, he told ESPN’s Pete Thamel that it was a “life-long dream” to be the Tar Heels’ starting quarterback. However, the UNC signal-caller is ready to “check off another dream and play quarterback in the NFL.”
“Tar Heel nation, the best fans out there. You have made my time at UNC truly special, thank ya’ll,” Maye wrote in his announcement. “I have decided to forego the bowl game and declare for the NFL draft. Forever and always, Go Heels.”
— Drake Maye (@DrakeMaye2) December 11, 2023
Maye threw for 8,018 yards, which ranks No. 5 in the program’s all-time passing yards list, and 63 touchdowns in three seasons at UNC. He registered a 17–9 record as a starter.
The 6’5”, 220-pound quarterback entered the ’23 campaign with big aspirations after leading the Tar Heels to an appearance in the ACC championship game in ’22. He was also a favorite in the Heisman Trophy race last season after throwing for 4,231 yards and 38 touchdowns.
Despite UNC losing to Oregon in the ‘22 Holiday Bowl, the Huntsville, Ala., native earned numerous accolades that included ACC Player of the Year, ACC Offensive Player of the Year, ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year.
