College Football sensation from UNC, Drake Maye tore up the ACC in the last few years. He showcased his dual-threat talent after amassing over 7,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in just two seasons. This eventually earned him ACC Player of the Year honors in 2023. Numerous videos on social media display his impressive throws and powerful runs, showcasing him as a trailblazer.

He is projected as one of the top NFL draft picks this year due to his performance. His future looks bright, but is he the greatest QB ever from Tar Heels? Let us dive into the history of UNC and see if it is true.

A look into Drake Maye’s performance for UNC

Maye’s stats are strong with an ACC Player of the Year award. Despite having a dip in his performance in the 2023-24 season, he is still considered one of the best QBs in the college football circuit. With a towering height of 6’4 and weighing 230 lbs, he also has elite arm strength, a quick whip arm, athleticism, skillful ball placement, and an intelligent mind for creative play. But these traits are not enough to call him the best from UNC.

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Some fans would still argue using the stats, which are in favor of Drake Maye but they might not be adequate enough to gauge him. The game of football has evolved rapidly with teams adopting an offensive style of play. A 60% pass completion rate in the 80s might be considered elite, but is more common now. Hence, evaluating quarterbacks across eras can be difficult due to evolving offensive styles and rules. Also, UNC has a rich history of quarterbacks, including NFL standouts like Phil Simms and Sam Howell.

Read more: Drake Maye’s NFL Draft Prospects: Unveiling Strengths and Weaknesses That Will Define His 2024 Bid

But if Drake Maye isn’t the top QB from UNC, who is it? Well, Ranker has done the hard work to prepare a list.

Drake Maye’s father Mark Maye is ranked inside the top five QBs from UNC

1. Sam Howell: Considered one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in Tar Heel history because of his arm strength and offensive intelligence.

2. Mitch Trubisky: Led UNC to an ACC Championship and was drafted second overall in the 2017 NFL Draft.

3. Marquise Williams: A talented runner with a strong arm who played for UNC from 2014 to 2017.

4. Mark Maye: Father of Drake Maye, he played for UNC in the early 1990s and was known for his accuracy and leadership.

5. T.J. Yates: T.J. Yates, a QB from 2007 to 2010, put up impressive stats–over 9,000 passing yards and 58 touchdowns on the back of his strong throws, smart decisions, and leadership.

So, it’s hard to call Drake Maye as UNC’s greatest, but only time will tell if he’ll solidify himself as UNC’s greatest quarterback ever.

Read more: 2024 NFL Draft: Jayden Daniels Vs. Drake Maye Stats, Who’s the Better QB