Next up: NFL! UNC quarterback Drake Maye officially declares for the Draft… and he will enter as a potential No. 1 overall pick in the Class of 2024
- May will also miss Duke’s Mayo Bowl as his team plans to play West Virginia.
- He is widely considered one of the top prospects in this year’s NFL Draft.
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news.
North Carolina star defensive end Drake Maye is declaring for the NFL Draft and will not play in Duke’s Mayo Bowl for the Tar Heels against West Virginia.
May announced his decision in a social media post on Monday.finishing his career at UNC, which included two years as a starter, putting up excellent numbers and becoming one of the most sought-after prospects in the NFL.
The school also announced that ACC linebacker Cedric Gray, receiver Devontez “Tez” Walker, offensive lineman Corey Gaynor and defensive lineman Myles Murphy are all entering the NFL Draft. Of that group, only Murphy will be in the bowl game.
“We want to thank these young men for all they have contributed to Carolina football during their time with the program,” coach Mack Brown said in a statement.
“It has been a pleasure to watch them grow and thrive both on and off the field.
North Carolina defensive end Drake Maye is declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Maye will sit out the Tar Heels’ upcoming game against West Virginia.
He is considered by many to be one of the top prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft.
“We wish them all the best and look forward to watching them represent UNC as they move on to the next chapters of their careers.”
May’s decision is not a surprise: Brown said in November that he “absolutely” thinks May will declare a high draft pick with high draft potential.
May refrained from making such statements, although he spoke with some finality after the team’s double-overtime win over rival Duke in what turned out to be his last home game.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound third-year sophomore ended his career with a lopsided loss to rival N.C. State that left May with an ankle injury.
But May returned to make another run despite being visibly restrained as he walked down the sideline and then said he wanted to “get back to the boys and not leave them there.”
Maye was named the 2022 Atlantic Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press in his first full season as a starter, throwing for 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns while rushing for 698 yards and seven extra scores. He led UNC to the ACC title game that year.
Things haven’t been as easy this year, although May still ranks second in the Bowl in total offense (338.1) and eighth in passing offense (300.7).
The move means Conner Harrell is set to take over at UNC’s quarterback spot against West Virginia, and the redshirt freshman made four appearances in relief – including that loss to North Carolina State – behind May.