UNC Football: Mack Brown discusses star quarterback Drake Maye

When did legendary head coach Mack Brown realize that the UNC football program had something special in quarterback Drake Maye?

The ACC Kickoff Event provided plenty of time for coaches and players to discuss a variety of topics.

To no surprise, a lot of the talk surrounding the UNC football program revolved around star quarterback Drake Maye. Heading into his second season as the team’s starting quarterback, the expectation is that Maye is on the verge of being a top pick in next year’s NFL Draft.

Before Brown met the media, the legendary head coach sat down for a segment on ACC Network. He admits that he wasn’t around to see Maye’s latest high school season but realized that he was a special player from the minute he arrived on campus:

"“I got here after their season so I had to see video of Myers Park when he was in high school. But then when he got to the campus? It’s smooth, it’s easy, he runs so much better than people think. He gets that old gangly giraffe look and he can take off. But the thing you don’t know about him is he’s got all the other intangibles. He anticipates well, he thinks, he doesn’t make bad plays, the ball is usually where it’s supposed to be.He competes and you’ve got to be able to compete. If you’re going to make it, and especially at that position, you’ve got to compete and you’ve got to compete harder than any of the other kids because they watch you Where I saw the difference is I watched him compete last summer and he was winning all the drills. In fact, it bothered me some.”"

Brown also credited his family for playing a large role in making Drake special. With older siblings that have starred in athletics, the Tar Heels head coach believes that this factor played a large role in Drake having that extra edge from a competitive standpoint.

Since he returned to the UNC football program, Brown has had two outstanding quarterbacks: Sam Howell is projected to be the Washington Commanders’ starting quarterback while Maye is on pace to be a top-five pick in next year’s draft.

For a coach who has put together a Hall of Fame legacy, it’s safe to say that Mack Brown knows a special player when he sees one.

Drake Maye certainly fits that description.

Follow us @KeepingItHeel on Twitter and like our fan page on Facebook for continued coverage of UNC football news and recruiting updates.