Mack Brown says Corey Gaynor has been a 'Godsend' while leading other linemen

Corey Gaynor is entering his seventh season in college football. With his outlandish experience, Gaynor brings unmatched wisdom. On Tuesday, North Carolina head coach Mack Brown discussed the center’s impact on the Tar Heels.

“Corey Gaynor has been a Godsend,” Brown said. “He’s tough, he’s smart, he’s driven, he’s got such respect from the other young people that he can call them out. We call it ‘call them up’ instead of calling them out. But he can walk over there and say, ‘That’s not good enough. Get your head up and let’s go back to work.’ And they listen.”

Gaynor’s natural leadership ability is part of the reason he started all 14 games at center last season in his first year with the team. Gaynor spent his first five seasons at Miami. While there, the 6-foot-3 offensive lineman amassed 41 appearances and started in 28 games.

“He is what we need in the middle. He and Drake [Maye] are true cogs to the leadership of this team,” Brown said. “You’ve got to be strong down the middle, and we are. We’re strong at running back, we’re strong at center and we’re strong at quarterback, and that really helps us.”

Corey Gaynor builds bond with Drake Maye

A quarterback can only be great once the ball is in their hands. Gaynor consistently put the pigskin in Drake Maye’s hands last season. In 14 games, Maye completed 342-of-517 passes (66.2%) for 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns, while rushing for 698 yards and seven touchdowns.

For his efforts, Maye was selected ACC Player of the Year, ACC Offensive Player of the Year, ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year; one of only two players to ever sweep all four awards, along with Jameis Winston.

Maye’s greatness was a contributing factor to Gaynor’s decision to return for one more season.

“I’ve played a lot of college football,” Gaynor said in March. “I’ve played a lot of games. I really thought last year was my last year. But towards the end of that season, like I said, I felt like there was a lot of unfinished business. Like I said, I’m a big believer in finishing what I started.

“Being Drake Maye’s center is a big deal to me as well. Protecting him, he’s a good friend of mine, really good friend of mine. It wasn’t difficult after you put all those things together. I’m here to play for the team. I’m here to serve. I’m very excited to be back in Chapel Hill.”