UNC’s Maye has his day to impress
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — As Drake Maye prepared to begin his throwing session Thursday afternoon at the Bill koman practice Complex, patriots coach Jerod Mayo and de facto general manager Eliot Wolf stood closely behind him.
The pair was among the nine members of New England’s coaching staff and personnel department to attend North Carolina’s pro Day, joined by offensive coordinator Alex Van pelt, quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney, senior offensive assistant Ben McAdoo, senior personnel adviser patrick stewart, director of player personnel Matt Groh, senior personnel executive Alonzo Highsmith, and national scout Matt Evans.
With Mayo and Wolf behind Maye, Groh along the sideline, stewart near the end zone, and others stationed throughout, the patriots had all angles of the throwing session covered.
Maye, who elected not to throw at the scouting combine, followed a 60-play script featuring a wide variety of throws — on the run, off platform, in the pocket, short, intermediate, long. The 21-year-old Maye, known for his arm strength, lived up to expectations with multiple downfield passes that elicited oohs and aahs.
North Carolina’s best wide receiver, Devontez Walker, who is projected to go on Day 2 of the NFL Draft, caught one pass that Maye threw 40 yards off of his back foot, and then another that he threw nearly 60 yards to lead him into the end zone.
“I think I can throw it deep with the best of them,” Maye said. “I wanted to show that. I think every deep ball was completed.”
Maye misfired high on a couple of intermediate throws, and finished with six incompletions. But he certainly showcased impressive touch and velocity. His other plus traits include his size (6 feet 4 inches, 223 pounds) and mobility, as well as the intangibles, such as a strong work ethic and leadership.
“In my opinion, he’s the best quarterback in this draft,” Walker said. “people just see what he does on saturday. They don’t see what he does Monday through friday, all the work he puts in, all the hours he puts in with his dad and by himself. He deserves everything he gets.”
Maye only threw and elected not to test Thursday. Earlier in the day, he also met with the patriots after already impressing during his interview with them at the combine. Asked about his conversations with the patriots throughout the pre-draft process, Maye said they’ve been “great.”
“Coach Mayo, first-year head coach, congrats to him,” he said. “I was just in there talking with the new offensive coordinator, with Coach Van pelt, just learning their stuff. I think it’s just been awesome for such a historic program and team and history out there in New England, just getting a chance to know them and know what they’re about and their champion mind-set of getting back to their glory days.”
Next month, Maye will travel to Gillette stadium for one of the 30 visits the patriots are permitted to hold ahead of the draft. The patriots are also expected to host LSU’s Jayden Daniels and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, after attending their respective pro Days.
Maye said he doesn’t pay too close attention to mock drafts and all the chatter surrounding the quarterback prospects. He tries to stay off social media and avoids searching his name online.
“You can get down a dark deep hole worrying about all the scenarios that can happen,” Maye said. “I’m just focused on my craft. Whoever chooses me, I think they’re going to be happy. Just from there, work from there.”
As Mayo laid out, the Bears’ plans at No. 1 are all but certain with southern Cal’s Caleb Williams. The Commanders’ plans at No. 2, however, are far less sure, which obviously affects the patriots’ plans at No. 3.
Commanders coach Dan Quinn, GM Adam peters, and offensive coordinator kliff kingsbury were also in attendance Thursday to watch Maye, and Wednesday to watch Daniels in Baton Rouge, La.
If Maye does fall to the patriots with the third overall pick, he certainly seems to fit the description of their desired quarterback. Throughout the pre-draft process, Wolf, Mayo, and Van pelt have described the ideal prospect as one that not only has the necessary physical tools but also the ability to elevate and inspire those around him.
Maye seems to fit that mold. According to his teammates, he’ll talk to anybody at the facility and on campus. According to his coaches, his competitiveness emerges in all activities, from walkthroughs to casual games of pickleball and volleyball.
“He’s going to be a guy everybody gravitates toward in the facility and wants to play for,” Walker said. “That shows the natural-born leader he is.”
Asked what he hopes to convey to teams, Maye said it’s difficult to stay humble during some conversations because his parents raised him not to boast about himself.
“I just try to do the best I can,” Maye said. “I’m ready to go wherever. A lot of people say, ‘Hey, do you want to go here or here?’ I’m ready to go wherever I feel like I can add a lot to a team.”