NFL Draft

UNC QB Drake Maye Declares for 2024 NFL Draft, Won't Play in Bowl Game

The Tar Heels' star quarterback could be in consideration for next year's No. 1 pick.

Luke Easterling

UNC QB Drake Maye Declares for 2024 NFL Draft, Won't Play in Bowl Game
UNC QB Drake Maye Declares for 2024 NFL Draft, Won't Play in Bowl Game /

One of the top prospects in all of college football is making the early jump to the next level.

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye is declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft, making his announcement via social media Monday night.

"Just sitting down with my family and the people I trust the most in life, including my coaches," Maye told ESPN's Pete Thamel about his decision. "This is the best decision for me and my future. It was my lifelong dream to play quarterback at North Carolina, and I get a chance to check off another dream and play quarterback in the NFL."

Maye will not play in North Carolina's bowl game, per Thamel.

After two impressive seasons as the starter for the Tar Heels, Maye now heads to the pros as one of the top overall talents in the entire 2024 draft class, and will be in contention for the No. 1 pick.

Published
Luke Easterling
LUKE EASTERLING

Luke Easterling (he/him) has been covering college football and the NFL for more than two decades, with a particular focus on the nexus of both, the NFL Draft. Writing for some of the largest and most recognizable brands in sports media, Luke's experience and expertise in evaluating potential NFL prospects and evaluating team needs/fits has earned the appreciation of his readers, and the respect of his peers. Luke cut his sports journalism teeth at The Tampa Tribune before spending two years at Bleacher Report as a featured columnist covering the NFL Draft and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Luke then spent nearly seven years at USA TODAY Sports Media Group as editor of Draft Wire and Bucs Wire, building both into authoritative destination sites for their respective audiences. Now at The Arena Group, Luke covers the NFL and college football for Athlon Sports, and runs Sports Illustrated's FanNation site for the NFL Draft. A graduate of the University of South Florida, Luke has been a featured guest on ESPN Radio, CBS Sports Radio, Fox Sports Radio, SiriusXM and more.  Based in Tampa, Florida (the true home of the Cuban sandwich), Luke plays the drums, loves 2000s pop-punk, watches way too many British murder mystery shows, and channels the energy of his deep-south Grammy and his full-Italian Nana in the kitchen. Twitter: @lukeeasterling Email: luke.easterling@si.com

Home/Latest News