Where did Drake Maye go to college? Revisiting Patriots QB's NCAA career at UNC

It didn't take long for Drake Maye to become a premiere quarterback in the NFL.

The New England Patriots' 2024 first-round pick was an MVP candidate by his second season, becoming an efficient dual-threat weapon for Mike Vrabel in his first year as the franchise's head coach.

Before Maye was racking up highlights in Foxborough, he became one of the best quarterbacks in the country much further south on the East Coast. 

Here's what to know about Maye's college career.

MORE: How did Drake Maye earn his "Drake Maye" nickname?

Where did Drake Maye go to college?

Drake Maye played at UNC from 2021-23. The Tar Heels were a hometown team for the quarterback, who was raised in Huntersville, North Carolina, attending William A. Hough High School and Myers Park High School in Charlotte.

Maye played basketball in high school, but wound up committing to football — as did his brothers, Luke and Cole, who also played football.

As a four-star quarterback prospect, Maye initially committed to Alabama in July 2019. In March 2020, he flipped his commitment to UNC, where he then arrived on campus in 2021.

Maye redshirted in his freshman season for the Tar Heels, as Sam Howell was the team's starting quarterback. But in 2022, with Howell off to the NFL, Maye became QB1 in Chapel Hill and immediately became a star; in Maye's first start, he threw for five touchdowns against Florida A&M.

Over 14 starts in the 2022 season, Maye led UNC to a 9-5 record and appearance in the ACC Championship game and Holiday Bowl. He was named the ACC Player of the Year, totaling new UNC records with 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns, adding in 698 yards and seven touchdowns as a rusher.

Maye returned in the 2023 season with more terrific numbers, posting 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns in the air with 449 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. He was a second-team All-ACC selection, leading the Tar Heels to an 8-4 record.

Maye declared for the NFL Draft after his redshirt sophomore season, immediately becoming a sought-after prospect for his dual-threat skill set. He finished his collegiate career fifth in passing yards (8,018) and fourth in passing touchdowns (63) in UNC history.

MORE: What to know about Drake Maye's brothers, Luke, Beau and Cole

Drake Maye college stats

Here's a full look at Maye's UNC stats.

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Drake Maye NFL Draft

After his standout UNC career, Maye became the No. 3 overall pick by the Patriots in the 2024 NFL Draft, trailing only Caleb Williams (Bears, No. 1) and Jayden Daniels (Commanders, No. 2) on the draft board.

Maye became the first Patriots player taken in the top-5 of the draft since Drew Bledsoe in 1993. New England denied trade-up attempts from other teams in order to land Maye, and he immediately became the face of the franchise's future.

To that point, the Patriots had struggled to establish a post-Tom Brady direction at quarterback, with Cam Newton and Mac Jones not working out. The team went 4-13 in 2023 before drafting Maye.

When the entire Patriots draft room was fired up they got to select Drake Maye. pic.twitter.com/qOLk9w5b8M

Initially, Maye was not QB1 in Foxborough. He was named the team's backup to begin his rookie year behind Jacoby Brissett, but that was short-lived. By Week 3 of the 2024 season, Maye was the starter, flashing some talent in another season of struggles for the Patriots; the team went 4-13 again, with Maye totaling 2,276 yards with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He was named a Pro Bowl replacement.

However, after the Patriots fired Jerod Mayo for Mike Vrabel in the following offseason, making a plethora of moves in free agency, Maye's development skyrocketed in 2025 to become an MVP candidate.

MORE: Everything to know about Drake Maye's family