Drake Maye's final home game: North Carolina preps for Senior Day against Duke
Posted November 6, 2023 12:26 p.m. EST
Updated November 6, 2023 4:20 p.m. EST
Chapel Hill, N.C. — This weekend is Senior Day for the North Carolina Tar Heels football team, marking the final home game for several players.
It could also be the last for one who is not a senior. Sophomore Drake Maye is widely considered to be a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Saturday’s Senior Day also comes against North Carolina’s rival, Duke.
“This is a fun team,” head coach Mack Brown said Monday. “I love these kids.”
A reporter asked Brown if Maye, a redshirt sophomore, will participate in the Senior Day festivities.
“We will ask him if he wants to,” Brown said of his quarterback. “It’s not my place to tell him to.
Brown said it is "an absolute" Maye will go to the NFL in 2024.
“I think it would be cool for him to walk out there for everybody to say, ‘thank you,’” Brown said.
Brown said the school would also ask transfer wide receiver Tez Walker if he wants to be recognized in the Senior Day pregame festivities.
"He hasn't been here as long," Brown said of Walker. "It's kind of confusing now."
On Monday, Brown said he was surprised linebacker Cedric Gray came back for his senior season. Brown said Gray could have been a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, Brown said Gray wanted to get his degree.
“We tell them, ‘If you can make a lot of money, leave,’” Brown said.
Brown said he expected offensive lineman Corey Gaynor to be emotional. He also mentioned running back British Brooks, who is in his sixth college season. Brooks started as a walk-on player and had a significant knee injury that forced him to miss the 2022 season.
“What a wonderful journey that young guy has had through sports,” Brown said of Brooks.
Brooks wants to coach after his playing career is over, Brown said.
North Carolina (7-2, 3-2 ACC) beat Campbell 59-7 on Saturday. The win propelled the Tar Heels to the 24th overall ranking in the AP Top 25 poll.
“They took a game they should dominate, and they dominated it,” Brown said of his team’s efforts.
Brown said more than 90 players had the opportunity to play against Campbell. He also mentioned the importance of backup quarterback Conner Harrell getting the chance to play. Harrell completed all four of his passes for 71 yards and threw a touchdown.
“We decided, with Conner, we were going to let him run the offense and do the things he would do if he was in the game because he’s one play away from playing,” Brown said.
Duke (6-3, 3-2 ACC) is coming off a 24-21 win against Wake Forest.
“I think their defense is better this year than it was last year,” Brown said of Duke. “Mike [Elko] has done a tremendous job coaching them.
“They’re well coached, their front … [DeWayne] Carter is as good as anybody in the country.”
Brown said he is preparing his team to play against quarterback Riley Leonard, who missed Saturday’s game against Wake Forest due to a toe injury.
“We have to prepare for all of the guys to play because you don’t want to walk out there and be surprised,” Brown said.
If Leonard can't play, freshman quarterback Grayson Loftis is expected to make his second career start.
Backup quarterback Henry Belin IV is dealing with an upper-body injury.
North Carolina has won four straight games against Duke.
“Mike Elko has done a tremendous job at Duke,” Brown said. “David Cutcliffe did a great job at Duke.”
Nov. 10, 2018, marked the last time North Carolina lost against Duke. The Tar Heels lost that game, 42-35.
“I think the Victory Bell is really important to both teams,” Brown said. “This game is why kids come to this school.”
Kickoff between North Carolina and Duke is set for 8 p.m. Saturday at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The game airs on the ACC Network.
