At least one projected top pick for the 2024 NFL Draft has announced his intention to turn pro.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye told ESPN on Monday that he’ll declare for the upcoming draft after three collegiate seasons — including the final two while starting as a redshirt freshman and redshirt sophomore — and forgo his remaining two years of eligibility.
Maye and USC’s Caleb Williams are expected to emerge as the first two quarterbacks selected — and perhaps the first two overall picks, too, in some order.
“Just sitting down with my family and the people I trust the most in life, including my coaches,” Maye told the outlet. “This is the best decision for me and my future. It was my lifelong dream to play quarterback at North Carolina, and I get a chance to check off another dream and play quarterback in the NFL.”
Maye started all 12 games for the Tar Heels this season, completing 63.3 percent of his passes for 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions, but they finished the regular season unranked at 8-4 after dropping four of their final six games.
North Carolina was placed in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against West Virginia, but Maye, after declaring for the draft, won’t participate.
Still, it’s unclear whether the team who holds the No. 1 overall pick will select him or Williams, who hasn’t turned pro but won’t play in the Trojans’ Holiday Bowl game against Louisville.
Williams threw for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2023, while also rushing for another 11 touchdowns.
When the Giants lost Daniel Jones for the season due to a torn ACL, and before third-string rookie Tommy DeVito managed to win them two games as signal-caller, it was a debate that general manager Joe Schoen might’ve played a role in.
But that changed with the Giants’ victories against the Commanders and Patriots, and they might not draft in a slot where they could select either quarterback.
“I don’t really pay attention to them much,” Maye told The Post’s Steve Serby in November about mock drafts. “Obviously you hear them and people come up to you and ask about ’em, but really just focus on college ball.”
He took over for Sam Howell after the Commanders drafted him following the 2021 season, and in his first season guiding the Tar Heels offense, Maye threw for 4,321 yards, 38 touchdowns and seven interceptions.