North Carolina’s Drake Maye says he won’t take part in Senior Day ceremony
Drake Maye said Tuesday that he would not take part in North Carolina’s Senior Day ceremony this weekend before the Duke game at Kenan Stadium.
Maye also said he had not decided about next year, on whether to enter the NFL Draft and turn pro or return for another college season.
That’s what he said. With nary a smile. But don’t get the wrong impression.
Everyone, including UNC coach Mack Brown, expects Maye to be in the NFL next season.
Everyone, including Brown, also believes Maye will be playing his last game at Kenan this Saturday even if electing not to take a last bow and be recognized.
“I’ve thought about it,” Maye said of participating in Senior Day. “My time at Carolina has been awesome. But I think Senior Day, personally, is meant for seniors.”
Maye recalled older brother Luke Maye, the former UNC basketball standout, giving his Senior Day speech at the Smith Center, and “how heartfelt it was.”
“That feeling of knowing as a senior that you won’t be back is different than the position I’m at,” Maye said. “So leave that for the senior guys out there, the guys who went through sweat and tears and it’s their last year. I think it’s meant for those guys. Have them celebrate.”
And for Maye?
“You never know. I haven’t made a decision of what next year is going for,” he said.
Many believe Maye will be a high first-round draft pick in the 2024 draft should he turn pro. Brown said Monday he would be among those advising Maye – or anyone in his position – not to turn down such a lucrative opportunity, should it be there.
“He’s going to be a first-round draft choice and he’s going to make a whole lot of money.” Brown said. “Is it best for me if he stays? Absolutely, but that’s not who we are. … We talk about treating ‘em like sons. If my son came in and asked me, I would say go.”
Brown recalled a former conversation when he was coaching at Texas and All-America quarterback Vince Young wanted to discuss entering the draft.
“Vince Young came in and told me, ‘I’m going to make $20 million if I leave’ and asked me what do I think,” Brown said, smiling. “I said ‘I’d be out of here, man.’”
Maye has prototypical size for an NFL quarterback at 6-4 and 230 pounds, good vision, a live arm and is someone who makes good decisions. He has improved his footwork in the pocket this season, can run with the ball and has strong passing numbers – 2,803 yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions – with three games remaining in the regular season.
Brown said there are NFL scouts at nearly every practice and that Darryl Moody, a senior advisor to the head coach and a former NFL scout, gives the feedback to such players as Maye about his discussions with the NFL guys.
As for Maye’s apparent decision to sit out the Senior Day festivities Saturday, Brown said it came as no surprise.
“He’s so humble, he doesn’t want attention brought to himself,” Brown said. “I think it would be cool for him to walk out there for everybody to say ‘Thank you.’
“From my standpoint, if he wants it, he deserves it. If he’s so focused on the game he doesn’t want to walk out there, I totally understand it.”
This story was originally published November 7, 2023 at 3:29 PM with the headline "North Carolina’s Drake Maye says he won’t take part in Senior Day ceremony."
