Greg McElroy sets record straight on Drake Maye return, transfer rumors

ESPN analyst Greg McElroy set the record straight about North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye’s transfer rumors over the offseason.

The North Carolina quarterback ultimately stayed with the Tar Heels, whom he grew up rooting for. However, there rumors discussed by Mack Brown and Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi that Maye was offered upwards of $5 million to transfer.

McElroy discussed the rumors and Maye’s situation and explained how the number might’ve been inflated.

“Well, here’s my thing: First of all, just the numbers that were thrown around about Drake Maye and people recruiting him and $5 million, they were completely erroneous,” McElroy said on Always College Football. “They were a joke. They were so inflated I heard that there was a team willing to pay Drake May a million dollars to come play.

“A million dollars is obviously a ton of money, obviously, but I think he’s gonna do quite well at Carolina and let’s be real trick me he’s gonna make $35 million a year from now and he’s a top five pick. So you make a million now you make $35 million next year like, so be it.”

McElroy acknowledged there probably was some thought about Maye leaving to follow offensive coordinator Phil Longo. He left UNC for Wisconsin to coach under Luke Fickell.

Setting record straight on Drake Maye’s transfer from North Carolina rumors

“I do think that there was probably some speculation when his offensive coordinator left, Phil Longo, when he went to Wisconsin,” McElroy said. “There probably is a little bit of speculation of okay, well, does he maybe follow him, like he had great success in that style and great success in that offense …

“I think he has had success. He’s already been to one ACC championship game. He probably feels as though there’s unfinished business and he grew up a Carolina fan. There’s more examples of that that don’t get talked about. When everyone talks about the transactional nature of college football like yeah, there’s several guys that go for the money. Sure. But there’s probably a handful of guys that go because they love the school too. 

“And I don’t know what the percentages are of each other. 60% go for the money. 40% go to school. I don’t know. But all I know is that I don’t think more of Drake Maye, I don’t think less of Drake Maye and Drake May is a heck of a player and gives Carolina a chance if they can play a little more consistent defense this year … I think they’re being a great spot to potentially compete again.”

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Maye finished his first season as the starter with 4,321 yards, 38 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 66.2% completion percentage.