Drake Maye “earned the right” to be North Carolina’s starter at quarterback when the Tar Heels face Florida A&M Saturday in the season opener. Just how much time he spends under center will depend on his play.
Maye beat out Jacolby Criswell for the right to start in a battle that has been bubbling since last season. The Heels anticipated three-year starter Sam Howell, who is now with the Washington Commanders in the NFL, turning pro a year early.
“Picking a starter between these two is like choosing between my 9-year-old daughter and my 11-year-old daughter, it’s just hard to do,” UNC offensive coordinator Phil Longo said. “They both right now could start and run this offense and run this team.”
