UNC’s signal-caller keeps racking up awards. Redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Maye, who already has an ACC Player of the Year award to his name, was named the National Freshman of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association of America and the winner of the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.

“Drake Maye’s talent is undeniable and when you watch him, he just jumps off the field,” said the award’s namesake, Shaun Alexander. “When I had the opportunity to learn about Drake as a teammate and a person it was obvious that he was the type of player I would want to carry on the tradition of the Shaun Alexander Freshman Player of the Year Award.”

Maye established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the country in just his first season as a starter. His total offense per game, passing touchdowns and total touchdowns each ranked in the top 5 nationally. His 4,321 passing yards this past season were a a UNC record, and his 38 passing touchdowns tied the school record set by Sam Howell.

Maye is one of just six quarterbacks since 2010 with at least 4,000 passing yards, 35 passing touchdowns, 650 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns in a season. That group includes former Heisman winners Kyler Murray, Marcus Mariota and Robert Griffin III.

Maye, in addition to being the first Tar Heel to win the Shaun Alexander Award, is also the first Tar Heel to win ACC Player of the Year since Lawrence Taylor did so in 1980.

 

Featured image via Eli Melet

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