Former UNC football Star makes his NFL debut on Thursday Night Football

September 20, 2024 Kerry Will College Basketball 0

In a surprising turn of events, former UNC football star Drake Maye made his NFL debut on Thursday night against the New York Jets.

With the game effectively out of reach, New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo decided to bring in his rookie quarterback after starter Jacoby Brissett endured heavy pressure from the Jets defense throughout the game.

Maye showed promise by leading his team on a 16-play, 46-yard drive that ultimately stalled when time expired. With a bit more time on the clock, the Patriots likely could have put points on the board.

Overall, Maye completed four of eight passes for 22 yards. After his first NFL pass nearly resulted in an interception, he calmed down and connected with several receivers during the drive.

Maye also contributed with his legs, rushing for 12 yards. While he was sacked twice, it’s important to note that he faced challenging circumstances due to the injury-plagued offensive line blocking for him.

After the game, Maye reflected on his debut and shared his goals for his first real NFL experience.

When asked about his performance, the former UNC football star said:

“I can’t take stupid sacks. We need to get the ball out, and taking sacks in that situation isn’t acceptable,” Maye explained. “On the positive side, we got some first downs, moved the chains, made plays with my legs, and connected with (DeMario Douglas) over the middle. So there are definitely some good things to build on.”

While the timing of Maye’s insertion into the game was questionable, it was exciting to see him in action. With his first appearance now behind him, Maye has a foundation to build on as he aims to eventually become the Patriots’ starting quarterback.

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