Drake Maye opens up on where he stands in UNC quarterback competition

Sam Howell is no longer with the North Carolina program, meaning head coach Mack Brown has a quarterback competition on his hands. Both Jacolby Criswell and Drake Maye are battling it out to earn the starting role, hoping to lead the Tar Heels throughout the 2022 season.

Maye recently had the opportunity to open up on where he stands within the competition. The redshirt freshman first said that he and Criswell push each other, especially with limited experience. Both want to win the starting job but for now, they are making one another better.

“We’re just pushing each other,” Maye said. “Pushing each other every day. It’s good for both of us. He’s very talented. We both have a few plays and a few games. So, we’re all just trying to battle it out, making each other better. Only time will tell, just both competing as hard as we can because we both want to be the guy.”

May is entering his second season in college football after being a four-star prospect on the On3 Consensus. He was the No. 8 quarterback in the 2021 class, meaning a ton of expectations were going to follow him to Chapel Hill.

Those expectations don’t really concern Maye, though, as he is just focused on himself. The competition is still present in his mind but working on what he can control is Maye’s top priority when it comes to battling Criswell.

“I’m just trying to worry about myself,” said Maye. “Worried about getting better each and every day. Kind of just letting it play out. It’s always in the back of my mind because competition and everybody is asking but at the end of the day, just trying control the things I can control and go at it each and every day, working on myself.”

Drake Maye speaks more on the competition, potential two QB system

Everyone wants to know who is going to start, even if a decision will not come until the fall. Maye has routinely been asked that question, saying he will be ready to play, no matter the outcome.

“It seems to be the No. 1 question,” Maye said. “I just tell them ‘we’re both competing and doing whatever we can. It’s going to play out how it plays out.’ But, obviously, we’re both looking forward to the season. Whatever happens, we’ll probably both see the field at some point. Knock on wood neither of us gets hurt but you never know what’s going to happen so got to be ready regardless.”

Maye was then asked how he felt about a potential two-quarterback system, something Brown has deployed in his past. While he said not much thought has been put into it, Maye could potentially be on board if it meant North Carolina was going to win games this season.

“I think Coach Brown said he’s had some success with it in the past,” said Maye. “I’m not really sure how I feel about that, I haven’t thought about it much. But I think it would be something different. Obviously, our playing styles aren’t that different so I am not sure how they’d work that out but I am sure we can make that work. As long as we win some games. That’s all that matters. Whatever we can do to win some games.”

North Carolina will open the season on Sept. 3 against Florida A&M, where someone will have to at least be named the starting quarterback. ACC play will begin on Oct. 1 vs. Virginia Tech but two huge nonconference games against Appalachian State and Notre Dame loom beforehand.

There’s still a long way to go in the battle, as Maye hopes he will eventually be the for North Carolina.