Mack Brown claims Drake Maye is the best quarterback in the country

Duke and No. 24 North Carolina got locked in a back and forth battle in the fourth quarter and, eventually, found themselves in double overtime. However, the Tar Heels were able to survive in large part due to the play of QB Drake Maye.

Mack Brown praised his quarterback during his postgame press conference following UNC’s 47-45 win over the Blue Devils. After watching in awe of his star once again, he had no problem making the proclamation that Maye is the best in the nation at his position.

“I saw Drake Maye do some things tonight that are just unbelievable. He made play after play after play, including the two-point play, that normal people just don’t make,” said Brown. “I think he has to be the best quarterback in the country. It’s just amazing to me that he keeps doing what he’s doing.”

It wasn’t just the plays that Maye made, though. As Brown recalled, his quarterback’s poise in a tight contest also stood out and, likely, gave his team a necessary edge in the end.

“Just so proud of the way he played tonight. He played with confidence and he never even flinched when there was 41 seconds left,” said Brown. “I said, ‘Hey!’ and he said ‘We’re good. We’re good, Coach. We got this.'”

Maye went 28-43 (65.1%) for 342 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in the rivalry win. He also rushed for a pair of scores to give him three total in the outing.

This included his one touchdown pass with under two to go to give his team the lead back and then a drive to put them in position for the tying field goal at the end of the fourth. It also featured one of his rushing scores and a conversion on the two-point attempt in double overtime to push Duke out of reach.

In a season full of phenomenal quarterbacks, Maye certainly makes a case as one of the best. Even so, Brown takes it further as he and his team are certain that they have the QB1 above all other QB1s this year as well as one of the best that he has ever had in his coaching career.

“I think he’s as good as anybody I’ve ever been around. It’s unbelievable,” Brown said. “I said that to the team in there. We have the best quarterback in the country. He is unbelievable.”