Drake Maye: Where did play college football| Siblings| MVP| Giants

Introduction

Drake Maye has rapidly emerged as one of the NFL’s brightest young quarterbacks, combining elite arm talent, athleticism, and family pedigree. From starring at college level to catching eyes in the pros, his trajectory has sparked discussion about legacy, potential, and how his rise affects teams like New England Patriots and New York Giants. In this article, we’ll explore where he played college ball, his athletic siblings and family background, why he’s getting MVP buzz — and what all this might mean for Giants fans.

College Football: Where Did Drake Maye Play?

• University & Program: Drake Maye played his college football at North Carolina Tar Heels — representing the college of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) from 2021 to 2023.

• Recruitment & High School Background: Before UNC, he attended Myers Park High School in Charlotte, North Carolina (after transferring from another school). In high school he was a standout — over two seasons he threw for 6,713 yards and 86 touchdowns, completing 398 of 581 passes (68.5%) per one recruiting profile.

• Breakout & College Success: Once at UNC, Maye quickly justified his hype. In 2022, as a starter, he delivered an outstanding season: throwing for 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns while rushing for 698 yards and additional scores. Combined, he amassed over 5,000 yards of total offense — becoming one of the few quarterbacks in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) history to do so in a single season.

• Awards & Honors: His 2022 season earned him major recognition: he was named ACC Player of the Year, ACC Offensive Player of the Year, and First-Team All-ACC. Additionally, he was considered among the top Heisman contenders (finished 10th in Heisman voting that year).

• Declaring for NFL: After two seasons at UNC, Maye declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.

In short: Drake Maye built his foundation and reputation at UNC — combining high school pedigree with collegiate excellence to become one of college football’s brightest young QBs before entering the NFL.

Siblings & Family — An Athletic Dynasty

Drake Maye doesn’t come from a sporting vacuum: he is the youngest in a family rich with athletic and collegiate success.

• Brothers: He has three older brothers: Luke Maye, Beau Maye, and Cole Maye.

• Luke Maye: A standout basketball player — among the siblings with championship pedigree.

• Beau Maye: Also played basketball at UNC, keeping athletics alive in the family.

• Cole Maye: Took a different route — baseball. He played at collegiate level (though at a different school), highlighting the breadth of athletic talent in the family.

• Father’s Legacy: Athleticism and football run deep — Drake’s father, Mark Maye, was himself a quarterback at UNC in the 1980s before playing briefly professionally.

Thus, Drake may have carried a lot of expectations growing up — and yet, his rise seems natural, grounded in family tradition and athletic discipline.

NFL Career & MVP Buzz (as of 2025)

After declaring for the draft, Drake Maye was selected third overall by the New England Patriots in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Early Success & Pro Bowl

• In his rookie season (2024), Maye played 13 games (12 starts), completing 225 of 338 passes (66.6%) for 2,276 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

• He also contributed on the ground — 54 rushing attempts for 421 yards, averaging 7.8 yards per rush and scoring 2 rushing touchdowns.

• His performance was good enough to earn him a spot in the Pro Bowl in 2024.

Surge in Year 2 — Entering MVP Conversation

The 2025 season has seen Maye take a major leap, prompting many analysts and fans to include him in early MVP conversations.

• As of mid-season 2025, he has thrown for over 3,130 yards, with 21 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions. Completion percentage is an elite 71%.

• His dual-threat ability remains — a legitimate passer with mobility, making him harder to defend.

• He ranks among the NFL’s top QBs in several key metrics: passing yards, completion percentage, passer rating — underlining how quickly he’s grown since entering the league.

Why MVP Buzz?

The upward trajectory, statistical excellence, and the spotlight on a young, exciting quarterback make Maye a strong MVP candidate. Observers point to:

• His rapid Year-2 improvement — a leap many quarterbacks take several seasons to achieve.

• His ability to lead and perform under pressure — not just as a passer, but using his legs when needed.

• The broader narrative of a young QB from an athletic family establishing himself as a franchise cornerstone.

What About the Giants? Why the Title Mentions “Giants”

You might wonder — why does the headline include “Giants”? There’s no direct connection between Drake Maye and the New York Giants, but there is indirect relevance:

• The Giants reportedly had interest in finding a franchise quarterback but did not trade up to get the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. That pick went to the Patriots and was used to draft Maye.

• As Maye establishes himself, Giants fans may look back on that decision with regret — especially if Maye continues on this MVP-level trajectory.

• So “Giants” in the title becomes more of a “what-if” context: if things had gone differently, could Maye have been their franchise QB?

FAQ — Common Questions about Drake Maye

Q: Where did Drake Maye play college football?
A: At the University of North Carolina — he played for the North Carolina Tar Heels from 2021 to 2023.

Q: Does Drake Maye come from a sports family?
A: Yes. He is the youngest of four brothers; his siblings and father all played collegiate-level sports (basketball, baseball, football) at high levels, and his father was also a quarterback at UNC.

Q: What were his college achievements?
A: In 2022, he threw for 4,321 yards with 38 touchdowns and rushed for 698 yards, accumulating over 5,000 yards total offense. He was named ACC Player of the Year, ACC Offensive Player of the Year, and First-Team All-ACC.

Q: When was he drafted and by whom?
A: He was selected third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.

Q: Why is he being talked about as an MVP candidate?
A: Because of his rapid Year-2 improvement — elite stats (high completion %, high yardage, decent touchdown-to-interception ratio), dual-threat ability, poise and leadership on the field.

Q: What does his story mean for the Giants?
A: The Giants passed on a chance to draft him at No. 3 in 2024. As Maye rises to elite status, it raises questions about that decision and what might have been if they had traded up.

Conclusion

Drake Maye’s journey — from high school phenom to UNC star, to a top-3 NFL draft pick, and now a rising MVP candidate — underscores the mix of talent, hard work, and family legacy. At just 23, he’s already one of the NFL’s most promising young quarterbacks. For fans of the Patriots, he represents hope for long-term success; for fans of the Giants, his rise may serve as a reminder of a passing opportunity.

Whether you follow college football, the NFL, or just great stories of young athletes defying expectations — Drake Maye’s tale is one worth watching closely.