Insider compares top QB Drake Maye to Heisman winner
If not for USC quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, North Carolina signal-caller Drake Maye would likely be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Just how good of a pro prospect is the 6-foot-4 redshirt sophomore? Well, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, who spent seven seasons as a scout for the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles, recently compared Maye to another Heisman winner — Carson Palmer.
“Both guys have all the desired traits: size, arm strength, mobility and accuracy,” Jeremiah wrote. “Palmer arrived in the NFL in 2003 with cleaner/crisper footwork, while Maye is a better overall athlete. I had the chance to see a lot of Palmer while working for the Ravens for much of his time with the Bengals. He was exceptionally talented and put together a very impressive 14-year career, earning three trips to the Pro Bowl. Palmer took a big leap in his final year at USC, winning the Heisman Trophy and leading the Trojans to an Orange Bowl victory. I'm excited to see if Maye can make a similar leap this fall.”
Palmer is one of the more decorated quarterbacks in NCAA history, winning the Heisman Trophy during his senior year in 2002 after passing for 3,942 yards, 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and leading USC to an 11-2 record and Orange Bowl win.
While Williams is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft, Maye could go as high as No. 2 overall. He drew a big crowd during UNC’s pro day in March, despite scouts technically being there to watch receivers Josh Downs and Antoine Green. Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown insinuated that he fielded just as many questions, if not more, about Maye than his two WRs.
Maye threw for 4,321 yards, 38 touchdowns and just seven interceptions last season and set school records for single-season passing yards, completions (342) and attempts (517), and he tied the school’s single-season record for touchdown passes. He was named a first-team All-ACC selection and was the conference’s Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year.
More must-reads: