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Dabo Swinney recalls Clemson's involvement in Drake Maye's recruitment

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•12/02/22•

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Drake Maye (Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

In 2021, North Carolina legacy Drake Maye was a highly touted quarterback recruit. At one point, he committed to Alabama, but ultimately opted to flip to Mack Brown and the Tar Heels.

However, another team was in on Maye’s recruitment — and he’ll face that team Saturday in the ACC Championship.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said the Tigers were in contact with Maye during the 2021 recruiting cycle. He said the two sides spoke, but he had an idea Maye would wind up at UNC, which is also where his mom went to school and his brother is currently a student, as well.

“I think we were definitely in it with him,” Swinney said. “I think he really liked it. Great family. I think we were definitely in it with him. We recruited his brother hard, too, for basketball. So I think we were in it, but I’m pretty sure he was going to North Carolina all along. But he at least talked to us.”

Maye was a four-star recruit out of Myers Park (NC) High School and was the No. 45 recruit in the country from the 2021 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Clemson and North Carolina kick off in the ACC Championship Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.

Dabo Swinney previews challenging matchup against Drake Maye, UNC offense

Dabo Swinney knows Clemson Tigers will have their hands full on Saturday when they take on the high-powered North Carolina offense. Ahead of the game, the Clemson headman previewed what challenges his defense will face in the ACC championship game against the Drake Maye-led UNC offense.

“Offensively, they’re the best we’ve seen by far,” Swinney said. “They are really, really very good, and they’re consistent. Their quarterback is a great, great football player. He’s a guy that was probably leading for the Heisman going into the Georgia Tech game… He’s a very good player, which is why we recruited him. He’s a winner, very accurate, puts the ball where guys have a chance to make a play, and just really impressive.”