CHAPEL HILL, N.C. –– Last night, former UNC quarterback Drake Maye was drafted as the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to the New England Patriots. He is just the second quarterback in school history to be selected in the first round after Mitch Trubisky became the first back in 2017 when he was drafted second overall to the Chicago Bears.
After weeks of deliberation and uncertainty around which team would pick him leading all the way up to yesterday morning when the New York Giants were even attempting to trade up, New England stayed true to the 21-year-old signal caller.
The Patriots have never drafted third overall in the draft and last night was the highest the team has drafted since 1994. They’ve been looking for a stable franchise quarterback since the departure of Tom Brady after the 2019 season and seem to have found one in Maye.
“This is a dream come true and something I’ve been working towards for a long time,” said Drake last night. “This wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my family and friends, who have been with me through all the good times and bad. I’m very lucky to have the support system I do and I can’t thank all the coaches, teammates, staffers and everyone else involved enough. I’m thrilled to be part of the Patriots organization, and I truly appreciate them trusting me to lead the franchise into the future. I got to live out a dream playing at North Carolina and now I get to do it in the NFL with New England. I can’t wait to get started and get back to playing ball.”
He became North Carolina’s 25th first-round draft pick and the Tar Heels ninth first-round pick since 2008, ranking third among ACC schools. And after a two-year starting career with North Carolina, Maye’s name has been sprawled across the record books finishing with 8,018 yards and 63 touchdowns.
Maye rushed for 1,209 yards and 16 touchdowns ranking fourth in school history in total offense with 9,227 yards. He ranks fifth in passing yards, fourth in passing TDs and sixth in completions. Under Maye, UNC finished with a 17-9 record.
“It’s been an absolute joy to coach Drake Maye and we couldn’t be more excited to see him drafted in the first round by the Patriots,” said UNC head coach Mack Brown. “I’ve been lucky enough to watch Drake grow up in the Carolina family and we’re so proud of how he’s represented both his family and the Tar Heels. As a player, he’s smart, accurate, dedicated and loves the game. He’s a great teammate and someone people gravitate towards. He’s got the ‘it’ factor and I think New England is very lucky to have him.”
By picking Drake, the Patriots have taken a chance on potential over experience, yet he possesses all of the tangibles as well as the intangibles when it comes to how he can produce on the field. His two-way motor and room for growth will be a focal point for New England in the coming weeks as he continues to develop his game before facing NFL defenses.
At 6-foot-4 and 223-pounds, Drake Maye is now the most important player within the Patriots organization and the rest of their picks will be built around their new leader.