North Carolina's offensive coordinator is reportedly headed to Wisconsin and much of its defensive backfield has entered the transfer portal. But the Tar Heels' most valuable player will remain in Chapel Hill.
Quarterback Drake Maye, the ACC player of the year and a potential first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, announced Wednesday on Twitter that he would return to UNC for his third season.
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"Could never leave this place, I'm a Tar Heel," wrote Maye, whose father quarterbacked the Tar Heels in the 1980s and who has two brothers who have played on the UNC basketball team, including Luke who helped UNC to a national title.
Maye told reporters after Saturday's ACC Championship Game loss to Clemson that he planned to return to North Carolina.
"I'm a Carolina kid. It means something wearing that Carolina blue," said Maye, who is from Charlotte. "That's my intentions. I love this place. These fans have been great. It's been a heck of a season. First year for me, I couldn't ask for more."
But with the loss of offensive coordinator Phil Longo, the opening of the transfer portal and the incredible movement across college football, Maye reiterated his commitment on social media.
Maye threw for 4,115 yards and 35 touchdowns during the 2022 season, as UNC went 9-4 and claimed the ACC's Coastal Division. North Carolina plays Oregon in the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 28. Maye also rushed for 653 yards and seven touchdowns.
Maye, a redshirt freshman, played in four games for UNC in 2021.
More than a dozen UNC players have entered the transfer portal, including UNC quarterback Jacolby Criswell, Maye's competition for the starting job in fall camp and his backup throughout the season. The Tar Heels have been hit particularly hard in the defensive backfield with at least seven players, including key performers Cam Kelly, Tony Grimes and Storm Duck, entering the transfer portal.