Drake Maye: From College Standout to NFL Quarterback

Drake Lee Maye, born on August 30, 2002, is an American professional football quarterback currently playing for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). Maye's journey to the NFL was paved with a successful college career at the University of North Carolina (UNC), where he set records and earned accolades.

Early Life and High School Career

Born in Huntersville, North Carolina, Maye's athletic journey began at William A. Hough High School in Cornelius, North Carolina. After his freshman year, he transferred to Myers Park High School in Charlotte, where he excelled in both football and basketball. His high school athletic prowess earned him the Observer Male Athlete of the Year award. Notably, Maye comes from an athletic family; two of his brothers, Luke and Cole, have won national championships in collegiate sports.

College Career at North Carolina

Maye initially committed to play college football at Alabama but later flipped his commitment to North Carolina. In 2022, he was named the starting quarterback for the UNC Tar Heels. His performance that year was remarkable, leading the NCAA in total yards and setting single-season school records in passing yards and touchdowns. Maye's exceptional performance in 2022 earned him the ACC Football Player of the Year award.

2022 Season Highlights

Drake Maye's 2022 season was a historic one for the Tar Heels. He consistently delivered outstanding performances, leading UNC to key victories. Some notable games include:

FAMU: Maye showcased his potential in the season opener.
Appalachian State: He threw five touchdowns in a high-scoring game.
Virginia Tech: Maye had a big day, leading North Carolina to a dominant win.
Pitt: Maye led a comeback victory, setting the team on a path to the ACC Championship.
Wake Forest: Maye dazzled as UNC clinched a berth in the ACC Championship game.

2023 Season

Maye continued to be a key player for North Carolina in 2023. He recorded multiple games with four touchdowns, contributing to significant wins against teams like Syracuse and Campbell.

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College Statistics

During his time at North Carolina, Maye accumulated impressive statistics:

Passing Yards: He set single-season school records in passing yards.
Touchdowns: He also set single-season records for touchdowns.
Total Yards: Maye led the NCAA in total yards in 2022.

NFL Career

Maye's outstanding college performance made him a highly sought-after prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft.

2024 NFL Draft

Drake Maye was selected by the New England Patriots as the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. He was one of six quarterbacks selected in the first round, tying an NFL record. The Patriots clearly valued Maye, reportedly turning down multiple trade offers for him. He signed his rookie deal with the Patriots in May 2024.

2024 Season

Despite a strong preseason, Maye began his rookie season as a backup to veteran Jacoby Brissett. He made his regular season debut in Week 3 against the New York Jets, completing four of eight passes for 22 yards and rushing for 12 yards.

After the Patriots struggled and fell to a 1-4 record, Maye was named the starting quarterback on October 8, 2024. In his first start against the Houston Texans, he completed 20 of 33 passes for 243 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also led the team with 38 rushing yards. Maye's three touchdowns were more than Brissett had thrown in his five starts. He became the first quarterback since at least 1950 to throw three touchdown passes and lead his team in rushing in his first start.

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In Week 8 against the Jets, Maye recorded a rushing touchdown before exiting the game in the second quarter with a head injury, later diagnosed as a concussion.

2025 Season

In late January 2025, Maye was added to the Pro Bowl roster as a replacement.

Personal Life

On June 22, 2025, Maye married Ann Michael Hudson, whom he had been dating since 2015. They announced their engagement in January 2025.

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