NFL Draft: Patriots pick UNC’s Drake Maye

DETROIT — The New England Patriots picked UNC Chapel Hill quarterback Drake Maye as the overall No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Maye, a Myers Park High School graduate, is 6-foot-4 and weighs 223 pounds, who has the size and powerful arm to contend with inclement weather in the Northeast, ESPN reported. Maye threw for 8,018 yards at UNC, which is No. 5 on UNC’s all-time passing list.

He is No. 4 overall on UNC’s all-time list with 63 touchdowns.

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Channel 9′s Phil Orban spoke with Maye Thursday night after he was drafted.

“Yeah just blessed and I’m excited,” he said. “I’ve been in North Carolina my whole life, it’s such a special state to me and the Charlotte area and Chapel Hill. So just ready to get to a new city, get playing ball again. Excited to be out there and get a chance to play some football.”

Orban asked Maye if he’s had a chance to process the news yet.

“I’m just excited, enjoying it, enjoying this time and this night with my family, they’ve been here -- my family and friends -- to be able to share it with them. So much work and so much of me has come from my family,” Maye said. “And I’m just excited to be part of a family up there in Boston, in Foxborough that knows about winning. And that’s how the Mayes are.”

VIDEO: Drake Maye’s dad talks coaching son, Sam Hartman in youth football