CBS Sports compares Caleb Williams, Drake Maye to two top QBs

“Williams' film looks a lot — and I mean A LOT — like Mahomes' did at Texas Tech,” Trapasso said. “Wild improvisational brilliance, stunning placement on throws through tiny windows inside and outside the pocket, unfathomable scrambles away from what looked like a guaranteed sack and just enough athleticism to piece together long runs if the defense takes his athleticism for granted. He has the utmost trust in his arm and usually has the arm talent to genuinely make any throw — on or off structure — on the field.”

Drake Maye

In his first year as the Tar Heels’ starter, Maye, a redshirt sophomore, threw for 4,321 yards, 38 touchdowns and seven interceptions. While Mahomes is the gold standard of NFL quarterbacks, Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert, who Trapasso listed as Maye’s NFL comparison, isn’t a bad runner-up.

“While Maye made a ridiculous amount of Herbertian throws in 2022, he doesn't have the type of explodes-out-of-his-hand arm strength of the Chargers quarterback,” Trapasso said. “Everything else, from his stature (6-4) to his sneaky athleticism despite stellar pocket play, to his willingness to attempt throws 95% of quarterbacks wouldn't dare release was very Herbert-like from Maye in his first full season at the North Carolina starter.”