Corey Gaynor opens up on relationship with quarterback Drake Maye

Few offenses around the country are likely expecting to have the kind of big year that North Carolina is thanks to the return of star quarterback Drake Maye.

As a redshirt freshman in 2022, Maye was named the ACC Player of the Year and the FWAA Freshman of the Year.

Everyone knows what he can do, but what his encore will be in 2023 will be even more intriguing. If he can take his game to the next level, the Tar Heels could be absolutely lethal offensively next fall.

He’s got the backing of his entire offensive line at this point.

“We talk all the time,” said 6-foot-3 graduate student Corey Gaynor, a mainstay for the team at center. “Like I said, me and Drake are really close. Anything and everything, I’m just here as a crutch for him if he ever needs me in that sense.”

Maye has been reportedly working on his footwork quite a bit this offseason, trying to put himself into an even better position to deliver timely throws next fall.

He was pretty good at it a year ago.

As a redshirt freshman he won a laundry list of awards and was a semifinalist or finalist for a half dozen other prominent awards. When you see his statistics, it’s easy to understand why.

Quarterback Drake Maye finished his season 342-of-517 passing for 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns, against just seven interceptions. He also ran for 698 yards and seven more scores.

As teammates say, there’s not a whole lot of work that has to be done getting Maye to work, either.

“He’s one heck of a football player, one heck of a leader and he’s got great character, so you don’t need to tune up Drake Maye that much more,” Gaynor said.

The receiving corps will need a bit of retooling after last year’s top two wideouts departed. Josh Downs led all receivers with 94 catches for 1,029 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Antoine Greene logged 43 catches for 798 yards and seven touchdowns.

There is some returning production still, as JJ Jones (24 catches for 434 yards and two touchdowns) and Kobe Paysour (29 catches for 324 yards and four touchdowns) are both back this spring.

The Tar Heels also added talented Kent State receiver Devontez Walker from the transfer portal. He had 58 catches for 921 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Golden Flashes last season.

In any case, teammates are confident quarterback Drake Maye will pick up right where he left off last season.