Who is New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye?

DRAKE Maye is the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots, having been selected third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The talented thrower has already achieved multiple Pro Bowl honors and led his team to Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara, California, on February 8, 2026.

Sign up for the Sport newsletter

Thank you!

Drake Maye celebrating with the trophy after the AFC Championship NFL victory over the Denver BroncosCredit: AP

Who is Patriots quarterback Drake Maye?

Drake Lee Maye was born on August 30, 2002, in Huntersville, North Carolina.

He grew up in a family with deep athletic roots, including brothers who played college football.

Maye joined the University of North Carolina (UNC) as a four-star recruit, arriving ranked among the nation’s top young quarterbacks.

During his freshman year in 2021, he appeared in four games behind starter Sam Howell, showing early promise with efficient passing and dynamic movement.

Maye’s breakout year came in 2022, when he took over as UNC’s starter.

He exploded onto the scene with five touchdown passes in his debut against Florida A&M, setting a Tar Heels record.

During the season he led the NCAA in total offense with 5,019 yards, passing for school-record 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns, rushing for 698 yards with seven scores.

His dominance earned him the Shaun Alexander Award, ACC Player of the Year honors, a trip to the ACC Championship Game and Holiday Bowl.

Most read in American Football

At the end of his time at UNC, he ended fifth in career passing yards (8,018) and fourth in touchdowns (63).

The New England Patriots made Maye the third overall pick in 2024, the highest-drafted Patriot quarterback since Drew Bledsoe in 1993.

How to watch Super Bowl LX

*If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue

THE biggest night in the sports calendar is almost upon us – and here’s how to watch it live.

Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California will be the venue for Super Bowl LX on Sunday 8 February.

The kings of the AFC will face the best team in the NFC at 6:30 pm ET, while Bad Bunny is lined up for the halftime show.

NBC is the official broadcaster for this year’s showpiece between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks.

Subscribe HERE to Peacock to watch all the action from Levi’s Stadium.

He signed a four-year, $36.64 million fully guaranteed deal and wore number 10, echoing Mac Jones.

Despite a strong preseason, he began as Jacoby Brissett’s backup.

Maye debuted in Week 3 with four completions for 22 yards and 12 rushing yards in a loss to the Jets.

Named a starter after Week 5, he threw three touchdowns and led in rushing in his first start against Houston.

His rookie year saw 2,276 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions over 12 starts, with the team finishing 4-13.

Notably, his first 10 touchdown passes went to 10 different receivers, a feat not seen since Steve Ramsay in 1973 for the Denver Broncos.

He even earned Pro Bowl honors as an injury replacement.

Maye pictured with his wife Ann Michael Maye before the game against the New York Giants on December 1, 2025Credit: Getty

In 2025, Maye elevated his game even further, securing a second straight Pro Bowl nod and second-team All-Pro.

He threw for 282 yards and two scores in a Week 13 win over the Giants, earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week.

A 380-yard, two-touchdown effort clinched a playoff-clinching victory against Baltimore in Week 16.

Against the Jets in Week 17, he went 19-of-21 for 256 yards and a record five touchdowns at 90.4% completion, posting the joint-highest Total Quarterback Rating ever tracked – 99.8 – alongside an elite club including Lamar Jackson, Colin Kaepernick and Carson Palmer.

In the postseason, he led playoff wins over the Chargers (268 yards), Texans (three TDs), and Broncos (rushing TD in snow), reaching Super Bowl LX against the Seahawks — the Patriots’ first appearance since 2018 and first division title since 2019.

At 23, he has revived Patriots’ hopes post-Tom Brady era, with analysts buzzing about his MVP-calibre sophomore season.

The quarterback is married to his high school sweetheart, Ann Michael Maye, who is a regular in the stands at Patriots matches.

She is somewhat of a star in her own right, with over 450,000 followers thanks to her baking videos, as of January 27.

Ann even landed her own show called Beyond Bakemas, which aired on NBC Sports Boston.