David Chao, MD
2 min read • March 01, 2024
Posted in
Although he rushed nearly 300 times over his final two college seasons, University of North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye was able to keep himself out of harm's way and started all 26 potential games.
Maye enters the NFL Draft largely unscathed and many draft projections have him going No. 2 overall to the Washington Commanders.
At 6-foot-5, roughly 220 pounds he should be durable enough to withstand the rigors of being a dual threat quarterback, but he is also one of the best arm talents available.
Typically, quarterbacks suffer their most significant injuries outside the pocket. That was not the case in college, but time will tell if Maye can remain durable with the same volume in the NFL.
The lone injury of note during Maye’s college career game in his final game against NC State. During the fourth quarter, the junior QB suffered a left ankle sprain.
He played through the injury, finishing 22 for 38 with 254 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns and 2 interceptions, 9 carries for 106 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Maye elected to skip the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, giving the ankle ample time to heal ahead of the draft process.
He will not throw at the NFL Combine, but will throw at UNC’s pro day in early March.
Stuck behind Sam Howell in 2021, his freshman year, Maye had just 10 pass attempts and 6 rushing attempts.
The following season, he won ACC Player of the Year and ACC Offensive Player of the Year with a 66.2% completion rate, 4,321 passing yards, 38 touchdown passes, 7 interceptions and 184 rushes for 698 yards and 7 rushing touchdowns. He ranked top five in the NCAA in pass attempts, passing yards and passing touchdowns that season.
Maye followed up that performance with 3,608 passing yards, 24 touchdown passes, 9 interceptions and 112 rushes for 449 yards and 9 rushing touchdowns in 2023.
Written by David Chao, MD
