UNC football names freshman Drake Maye starting QB

Drake Maye, the five-star quarterback prospect who headlined North Carolina's national top-15 recruiting class in 2021, has been named the Tar Heels' starter for Saturday's 2023 season opener against Florida A&M.

UNC coach Mack Brown made the announcement Monday during his first weekly press conference of the 2023 season. Maye, a redshirt freshman from Charlotte, gets the starting nod over sophomore Jacolby Criswell, although both are expected to see action against the Rattlers.

"We just felt like Drake should walk out there first," Brown said. "There's very little difference between the two. If one quarterback is not moving the ball, we'll put the other one in. We're going to give each one a chance. If you're moving it, you stay in. If you're not, let each one have a chance."

Maye, the son of former UNC quarterback Mark Maye and brother of ex-Tar Heel basketball star Luke Maye, was rated the nation's No. 4 quarterback prospect in the recruiting Class of 2021 while at Myers Park High School. He initially made a verbal commitment to Alabama in July 2019, but backed off that pledge and eventually became a major recruiting coup for Brown when he signed with UNC in December 2020.

Maye and Criswell served as backups last season to record-setting Sam Howell, who is now with the NFL's Washington Commanders. Maye appeared in four games, completing seven of 10 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown. Criswell, from Morrilton, Arkansas, has played in 10 games over the last two seasons and made the start last season against Wofford when Howell was injured. He has completed 19 of 30 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown in his career.

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Brown said both quarterbacks were evaluated thoroughly before a decision was made on the opening-game starter.

"We've looked at every little thing every day from spring until now. It's very close," Brown said. "It's really a close decision that we ended up just saying we feel like [Maye] earned the right to be out there first. We're so lucky they're both good, they're both smart, they both get along, they both know the offense."

Brown also said Pine Forest High graduate D.J. Jones will be UNC's starting running back in Saturday's opener.

Jones, a junior, steps in for projected starter British Brooks, who was lost for the season after suffering a lower-body injury in preseason practice.

The 5-foot-10, 205-pound Jones rushed for 253 yards on 60 carries and made 12 catches for 55 yards in a reserve role last season.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Drake Maye beats out Jacolby Criswell in UNC football QB battle