Drake Maye discusses his first year as UNC's starter, Heisman Trophy talk

No. 21 North Carolina is quietly 6-1 and despite lingering questions about whether the defense can stiffen up to make the Tar Heels a legitimate contender for the ACC crown, quarterback Drake Maye continues to produce, even earning some Heisman Trophy talk.

The freshman quarterback has been fantastic this season, having thrown for 2,283 yards and 24 touchdowns while tossing just three interceptions.

“It’s been a little eye-opening on such a big stage,” Maye said of his journey as a first-year starter. “It’s only going to get bigger from here, we’ve just got to keep winning games. So we’ve got a lot of work to do. It’s been a blessing.”

According to the latest Heisman Trophy odds listed by VegasInsider.com, only six players currently have more favorable odds to win college football’s most prestigious award than Maye.

He’s sitting at 40-1 odds, tied with the likes of Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett IV and Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs. But Maye deflected talk about the Heisman Trophy when asked what being in that conversation has meant to him.

Instead, he’s focused on keeping the success rolling.

“I don’t know about all that. It’s a credit to my teammates,” Maye said. “Without them I’m just sitting over here not doing anything as a quarterback. All those accolades and awards come with just winning, so try to keep my head straight and keep winning games and that stuff will take care of itself.”

Drake Maye a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender?

If Drake Maye is going to contend for the Heisman Trophy, oddly enough it might be incumbent upon the team’s defense to improve.

The Tar Heels are 6-1 right now but have had some seriously close calls against opponents who have had just so-so results this season. North Carolina has four wins by just one score and has also dropped a game to three-loss Notre Dame.

For Maye to get serious Heisman consideration, he might need North Carolina to stay unbeaten down the stretch and push Clemson in the ACC title game.

But, again, Maye isn’t focused on any of that.

“Most rewarding part? I think just winning,” Maye said. “For me, just winning. There’s nothing like Sundays after a win or a flight back, bus ride back. Especially playing here, ABC, anybody but Carolina. Everybody’s bringing their best, they want to beat us. So just getting that win, that’s ultimate. As a competitor, anybody that’s playing a sport, winning solves everything.”

Maye, a native of Huntersville, N.C., just north of Charlotte is also happy to represent his area. He derives a good deal of pride from it.

If he can expand the area’s profile with his continued excellent play, all the better.

“I mean it’s a dream come true, especially putting on for Charlotte and my hometown and my home high school,” Maye said. “Just trying to do whatever I can to create good representation. Charlotte’s got good football, so just glad to be able to represent that.”