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Drake Maye

Drake Lee Maye is an American professional football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL).

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Drake Lee Maye is an American professional football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels and was selected third overall in the 2024 NFL draft. By 2025, he had earned Pro Bowl recognition and helped lead New England to a division title and a Super Bowl appearance.

Early life and college career

Maye was born in Huntersville, North Carolina, and played quarterback at the University of North Carolina. His college career included major national recognition in 2022, when he won the Shaun Alexander Award and ACC Football Player of the Year after leading the NCAA in total yards.

NFL career

The New England Patriots chose Maye with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. He became the team’s starting quarterback and was named to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season.

2025 season

In his second NFL season, Maye helped New England win its division and reach the Super Bowl. Sources also describe him as receiving second-team All-Pro honours and finishing as a runner-up for the NFL MVP award.

Playing profile

Maye is listed as a 6-foot-4 quarterback with a strong passing profile and dual-threat ability. His professional statistics and awards have made him one of the league’s notable young quarterbacks.

Key facts

  • Drake Maye played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels from 2021 to 2023.
  • He won the Shaun Alexander Award and ACC Football Player of the Year in 2022.
  • Maye was selected third overall by the New England Patriots in the 2024 NFL draft.
  • He earned Pro Bowl honours in his rookie season.
  • In 2025, he helped lead the Patriots to a division title and a Super Bowl appearance.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Drake Maye?
Drake Maye is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots in the NFL.
Where did Drake Maye play college football?
He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels at the University of North Carolina.
When was Drake Maye drafted?
He was selected third overall in the 2024 NFL draft by the New England Patriots.
What awards did Drake Maye win in college?
In 2022, he won the Shaun Alexander Award and ACC Football Player of the Year.
Has Drake Maye made a Pro Bowl?
Yes. He earned Pro Bowl honours in his rookie season and again in the following season.
What is Drake Maye’s connection to Canada?
There is no major Canada-specific connection in the provided sources.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake_Maye
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, college career, draft position, and overall career overview including awards and team achievements.
  2. New England Patriots — https://www.patriots.com/team/players-roster/drake-maye/
    Supports: Team affiliation and 2025 season passing statistics.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Drake-Maye
    Supports: Biographical overview, draft selection, college career, and 2025 season accomplishments.
  4. Pro Football Reference — https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MayeDr00.htm
    Supports: Birthplace, height, weight, and basic player profile details.
  5. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/bio/_/id/4431452/drake-maye
    Supports: Position, team, college, draft information, height/weight, and active status.
  6. NFL.com — https://www.nfl.com/players/drake-maye/
    Supports: Height, weight, college, age, hometown, and general player profile.