Ourlads' Profile:
2024 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about DRAKE MAYE:
North Carolina | HT: 6043 | WT: 223 | 40 time: 4.65 | Arm: 3214 | Hand: 0918 | Wing: 7618
Third-year sophomore entry, two-year starter. All-ACC both seasons, first-team in 2022. Coming from an athletic family (two brothers and father played basketball at North Carolina, one played baseball at Florida), Maye has been waiting for his time seemingly forever. He backed up eventual NFL quarterback Sam Howell for a season. After the redshirt year he went on to win FWAA Freshman All-America honors, finished as a Manning Award finalist, and earned ACC Player of the Year honors with a dual-threat approach. His production coming from his arm and legs matched the levels we have seen from the likes of Kyler Murray, Deshaun Watson, Robert Griffin III, and Marcus Mariota to name a few. He led the team in rushing, but also set a program record with 38 passing touchdowns. He was just the fifth quarterback in ACC history to amass over 5,000 total yards. While Maye did see a dip in production in 2023 and there are specific elements to his game that absolutely need to be sharpened, he does show a prototype combination of traits to be a quality starter at the next level. He can make every throw at a high level, and he does a lot of good work on the move where he needs to be the creator. If he can gain more consistency with ball placement and become consistent in his decisions, the likelihood of him becoming a quality starting quarterback is high. The hesitation comes from inconsistent ball placement and random poor decisions he will make with the ball, both correctable issues if he can be put in the right position. Densely built with a frame to add on more mass. A plus-athlete in every sense. Can abruptly abandon his plan and accelerate to open space, picking up big chunks of yardage. Easy, fast, and balanced footwork in the pocket with great feel to avoid pressure. Can find open pockets of air while working his eyes downfield. Excellent ball handling mechanics. Keeps both hands on. Just ten fumbles over 26 starts. Can feel where the defense is with an accurate internal clock. Tough under pressure with excellent innovation skills. Has shown playmaking ability in several instances, he will create on his own. Needs to improve lower body mechanics, notably with the back foot and follow through. Causes too many errant throws and his ball placement needs to be better. Too many downfield passes where it was underthrown or the receiver had no shot at the ball. A slight low wind release shows up at times on throws outside the numbers and contributes to the ball sailing. Will get hesitant immediately post snap at times, uses an extra hitch or step. Will take unnecessary risks and lose track of backside defenders coming off their coverage.
2023 Stats: 269/425, 3608 yds, 63.3%, 24 TD, 9 INT, 449 yds rushing, 9 TD, 149.0 QB rating. Draft projection: 1st round