Devontez Walker explains what makes Drake Maye unique as a quarterback

North Carolina concluded its spring game on Saturday and quarterback Drake Maye was right back in form, showing a unique ability to pick up right where he left off after a fantastic redshirt freshman campaign in 2022.

Maye threw two touchdown passes in the game, including a 35-yard strike to receiver Devontez Walker on a go route.

“It was just me and him on our off days, we get together and we try to get chemistry on those type of passes,” Walker said after the game. “I tell him how I want it, he knows how fast I am, so he just really puts it out there, I run under it.”

Walker is a new addition to the North Carolina offense, arriving by way of the transfer portal after a breakout season at Kent State in 2022.

The first-team All-MAC selection tallied 58 catches for 921 yards and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2022, helping the Golden Flashes offense produce in the passing game.

He hopes to have a similar effect with the Tar Heels.

Of course, that’s a two-way street, one that Maye is always looking to build up. One of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy in 2023, Maye has been hard at work all spring looking for any way he can improve.

But it’s the way Drake Maye does it that makes him unique, Walker noted.

“With Drake, he’s hard on himself. He feels like everything is on him, so he’ll come to you after a play, ask you how you want it or whatever,” Walker said. “Whatever you tell him, he gives it to you. I feel like that’s what makes him more unique than most QBs.”

Maye will need some new contributors to emerge in 2023.

While top tight end Bryce Nesbit returns after notching 507 yards receiving, Maye’s top two receivers in the passing game from a year ago are gone. That’s where a guy like Walker could have a big impact.

Maye is more than capable of churning out major chunks of yardage if he has the tools to work with. He finished last season with 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns passing, keeping the Tar Heels in plenty of high-scoring affairs.

Drake Maye’s position isn’t unique as a returning starter having to throw to some new targets. What might be is his dedication to making sure each of those wideouts is getting the ball delivered exactly the way he wants.

The North Carolina quarterback is certainly putting in the time, and we’ll see how much it pays off come the fall.