UNC Football: Drake Maye set to make NFL preseason debut

It's been a long offseason- but football is finally back.

The NFL preseason started last Thursday with the annual Hall of Fame game, a matchup between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans that was eventually cut short due to extreme weather.

The first full slate of the preseason will begin this week, and hopefully, it will feature some complete games. It should also feature one of the most intriguing NFL prospects of the 2024 draft class, Drake Maye, a UNC football legend.

As the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Maye has been battling with Jacoby Brissett in Foxborough this offseason for the starting QB position for the New England Patriots.

While reports have indicated Brisset has the starting position on lock, and Maye has been playing second fiddle throughout the entirety of the offseason, the former Tar Heel will have his first chance to make an impression on the league this Thursday.

The Patriots will host the Carolina Panthers on Thursday at 7 PM EST, where Maye will make his NFL debut. 

Patriots head Coach Jerod Mayo confirmed that his goal is to see all four of his quarterbacks in action this week. Bailey Zappe, Jacoby Brissett, and Maye's fellow rookie Joe Milton III plan to get snaps against Carolina.

"Drake will play… Everyone who is healthy to play in the game will play in the game," said Mayo.

There's no telling how many series we'll see Maye lead in his first preseason game, as the Patriots coaching staff are cautious about using their No. 2 quarterback.

"You don't want the first time these guys get hit or hit someone else to be in the preseason game… We have to see what these guys can do in live action." said Mayo.

The Huntersville, North Carolina native finished his UNC football career with 8,018 passing yards, 1,209 rushing yards, and 79 total touchdowns. We hope to see the same level of success at the next level, with the next step in his journey starting this Thursday.