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.”