Patriots QB Drake Maye Reaches Super Bowl in Year Two

Drake Maye is about to become the second-youngest quarterback to ever play in a Super Bowl, and his former coach saw it coming all along.

The New England Patriots quarterback will take the field in Super Bowl LX on February 8, just two years after joining the NFL. Maye's college coach at North Carolina, Mack Brown, told scouts during the 2024 draft process that his star quarterback was destined for this moment.

"I told scouts when they would come through that he's a Super Bowl guy," Brown told WRAL. "He'll win a Super Bowl."

Brown knows championship quarterbacks. During his 16 years coaching at Texas, he worked with NFL stars like Vince Young and Colt McCoy. But he believes Maye could surpass them all.

Maye's college career showed early signs of greatness. He threw 62 touchdowns during two years as North Carolina's starter and racked up 8,018 passing yards over three seasons. Under Brown's guidance, the Tar Heels went 17-10 with Maye leading the offense, including an ACC Championship Game appearance in 2022.

The young quarterback's NFL rookie season turned heads across the league. In his first year under Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, Maye posted the league's best completion percentage and earned recognition as an MVP finalist.

The Ripple Effect

Maye's rapid success is breathing new life into a Patriots franchise that's been rebuilding since Tom Brady's departure. His humility and work ethic have set a new standard in New England's locker room. The entire organization rallied around their young leader, creating a winning culture that carried them through the playoffs and into championship contention.

Brown believes this is just the beginning for his former player. "I think Drake will go down not only being one of the best that I've ever coached, but one of the best to ever play," he said.

The Patriots and Seahawks kick off Super Bowl LX on February 8, with Maye looking to cap his remarkable second season with football's ultimate prize.