The North Carolina Tar Heels started the year strong, going 6-0 to start the season behind excellent quarterback play from junior Drake Maye. However, the Tar Heels faded down the stretch and ended in a disappointing 8-4 record.
As the Tar Heels play West Virginia in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, where is quarterback Drake Maye?
Is Drake Maye Playing in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl?
According to Pro Football Network, Drake Maye is projected as the top QB in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. He threw for 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns in his junior season, further solidifying that ranking.
Because of this, Maye has decided to forego his final game as a Tar Heel and instead begin preparation for the 2024 NFL Draft. In doing so, Maye avoided injury in his final collegiate action and started the draft preparation process.
MORE: 2023 CFB Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker
In his collegiate career, Maye threw for nearly 8,000 yards in two seasons at the helm for North Carolina, throwing 62 touchdowns and just 16 interceptions. He also added 17 touchdowns and over 1,300 yards on the ground in 28 career games.
Maye’s accuracy, poise, and pocket movement excite NFL scouts, and he should start for an NFL franchise next season. Because of this, he will sit out the Duke’s Mayo Bowl and begin draft preparation.
Who will start for the Tar Heels at Quarterback?
Conner Harrell, a redshirt freshman from Alabama, will start for the Tar Heels in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Harrell has six career passing attempts for the Tar Heels, completing four passes for 71 yards and a touchdown.
North Carolina’s top receiving target, Tez Walker, has also opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft process. Because of this, Harrell will look elsewhere for his targets. Harrell is known for his speed and agility, so the Tar Heels will likely call more quarterback runs to maximize his skill set.
North Carolina takes on the surging West Virginia Mountaineers in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Dec. 27 at 5:30 p.m. (ET) on ESPN and FuboTV.
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