UNC Football: Gray and Maye earn more preseason recognition

Expectations are sky-high for UNC football stars Cedric Gray and Drake Maye, as they’ve added more preseason recognition this week.

Heading into the 2023 college football season, UNC football standouts Cedric Gray and Drake Maye have drawn a lot of attention.

Both have received various preseason awards, including All-American honors from Athlon Sports. The Tar Heels’ duo have added to their preseason recognition, as they were both tabbed as All-Americans by Phil Steele.

Gray, who was named a third-team preseason All-American by Athlon Sports, came in as a second-teamer in Phil Steele’s projections. Heading into his senior season, Gray is coming off his best season as a Tar Heel, as he started all 14 games while recording 82 total tackles en route to earning various individual honors for his efforts.

Maye was a second-teamer in Athlon Sports’ rankings but slipped to the third team in Steele’s rankings. Heading into his second season as the UNC football program’s starting quarterback, many project that Maye will end up being a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Coming off a trip to the ACC Championship game, expectations are high for the UNC football program. If the Tar Heels want to reach the goals they have for this season, it’s safe to say that both Gray and Maye will play a large role in that quest.

The UNC football program is scheduled to kick off its 2023 regular season on September 2, as they’ll match up with South Carolina in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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