The New England Patriots look every bit of an early playoff team through six games – and they have a former UNC football star to thank for that.
Drake Maye, who starred at North Carolina (2-3, 0-1 ACC) during the 2022 and 2023 college football seasons, has the NFL’s greatest dynasty at 4-2. Maye is enjoying a sophomore leap, with his 1,522 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and 72 QBR all top 10 in the NFL.
Maye also recently added some impressive history to his young, professional football career. During New England’s 25-19 road win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Maye joined Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott and Dan Marino as the only quarterbacks with 200+ pass yards and a 100+ passer rating – at age 23 or younger.
We’re talking Maye joining the company of a 3-time Super Bowl MVP, Hall of Famer and NFL’s 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year. If Maye is producing like this in just his second NFL season, imagine where he’ll be in five seasons.
Maye finished Sunday’s game with another impressive statline, completing 18 of his 26 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 28 rushing yards on nine carries. The Patriots are now 4-2, proving themselves as a legitimate playoff threat – and tying the Buffalo Bills atop the AFC East.
The Tar Heels could use someone of Maye’s caliber on their roster, as their offense is amongst the FBS’ worst. UNC’s next test comes late Friday night, as they travel to California for a 10:30 p.m. kickoff against the 4-win Golden Bears (4-2, 1-1 ACC).
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