Mack Brown sounds off on tampering, how Drake Maye has been impacted

A few years ago, most would never give thought to a starting quarterback leaving a program. Somebody such as Drake Maye would return to North Carolina for his redshirt sophomore year, hoping to improve on what was an impressive 2022 season.

That’s not the case in these times, with Maye reaffirming his commitment to the Tar Heels, saying he will return for another year under head coach Mack Brown. He was rumored to be entering the NCAA transfer portal and potentially going to a top program.

As for which schools were after the quarterback, nobody involved with the situation has spilled the beans. Brown was asked directly on Monday if he could reveal some of the names tampering but refused. If you’re looking to get a general idea though, Brown advises you to look at the recruiting rankings.

“I can’t say that,” Brown said. “And don’t ask Drake. He’s a young guy and that’s uncomfortable for him. You know who they are. Looking at all the ones that are getting the top recruits. They’re the ones paying all the top money. So, you can figure that out. Take two of those 10 and you’re right. You got it. And probably more than the two that I know of.”

If Maye had entered the transfer portal, he would have been a top name available, and for good reason. During his first season as the full-time starter, he put up incredible numbers for the Tar Heels, throwing for over 4,100 yards, 35 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions.

North Carolina had team success as well, having the chance to win 10 games for the first time since 2015 with a bowl victory vs. Oregon. They had not been to an ACC Championship game since then either.

But Drake Maye is not the one directly communicating with schools. Brown thinks it’s all done through agents and if ever mentioned publicly or accused, they would be able to deny everything.

“The problem is, it’s all done through agents,” Brown said. “They would absolutely say it was a lie. There’s no paper trail, there’s no way to prove it. It’s all agent to agent.”

Nonetheless, Maye seems locked in with North Carolina for the 2023 season. The immediate priority, though, will be getting a win on the West Coast against the Ducks. A big game from Maye and the Tar Heels can leap into next year with some confidence and hope of making a national championship run.