UNC's Maye will skip bowl game, announces for NFL Draft

Raleigh, N.C. — North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, widely expected to be a top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has played his last snap for the Tar Heels.

Maye will skip the Dec. 27 Duke' Mayo Bowl against West Virginia and begin preparation for his pro career, he announced Monday. Maye has been projected to be one of the top two quarterbacks selected in April's NFL Draft, along with Southern Cal quarterback Caleb Williams.

Maye, the 2022 ACC Player of the Year, finished the 2023 season with 3,608 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and a 149 quarterback rating. Maye threw for 8,018 yards and 63 touchdowns in his UNC career. He also rushed for 1,209 yards and 16 touchdowns. Maye finished 10th in Heisman Trophy voting in 2022.

Maye originally committed to Alabama, but ultimately chose UNC as a high school recruit out of Charlotte. He had lucrative opportunities to transfer after his breakout 2022 season, but remained with the Tar Heels.

Despite Maye's oft-terrific play, UNC went 17-9 with him as the starter. The Tar Heels dropped their final four games of the 2022 season and lost four of their final six in 2023. Maye joined the program in 2021.

Maye thanked the Tar Heel fans and coach Mack Brown for "the opportunity to live out my dream of playing quarterback in Carolina Blue." Maye's father played quarterback for UNC in th 1980s and his brother Luke was a standout on the UNC basketball team.

"Tar Heel Nation, the best fans out there, you have made my time at UNC truly special," Maye wrote.

Four UNC players have been drafted No. 2 in the NFL Draft — with varied results. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky was picked No. 2 in 2017. Defensive end Julius Peppers was the No. 2 pick in 2002 and linebacker Lawrence Taylor was the No. 2 pick in 1981. Running back Ken Willard was the No. 2 pick in the 1965 NFL Draft.

Taylor is considered one fo the greatest players in NFL history, and Peppers is a Hall of Fame nominee. Willard made four Pro Bowls and scored 62 touchdowns. Trubisky has played 68 games in his career for the Bears, Bills and Steelers.

Maye is not alone in skipping the bowl game. All-ACC linebacker Cedric Gray, offensive lineman Corey Gaynor and wide receiver Tez Walker are headed to the NFL and will not play in the game.

"We want to thank these young men for all they've contributed to Carolina football during their times with the program," Brown said in a statement. "It's been a pleasure to watch them grow and flourish both on the field and off. We wish them nothing but the best and look forward to watching them represent UNC as they move onto the next chapters of their careers."

Other UNC roster moves

Defensive lineman Myles Murphy is also headed to the NFL, but he will play in the bowl game. Quarterback Jefferson Boaz and defensive back D.J. Jones are transferring from the program, but will play in the bowl game.

Several Tar Heels will miss the bowl game due to injuries, including tight ends John Copenhaver (lower body) and All-ACC selection Bryson Nesbit (lower body), defensive backs Will Hardy (upper body) and Alijah Huzzie (lower body) and offensive lineman Zach Rice (lower body).

Harrell will get snaps in Duke's Mayo Bowl

North Carolina (8-4) will meet West Virginia in Charlotte Dec. 27 (5:30 p.m., ESPN) for the Duke's Mayo Bowl. Expect to see Conner Harrell under center. In 2024, Harrell is expected to compete for the Tar Heels’ starting quarterback position with Texas A&M transfer Max Johnson.