SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Mack Brown, head coach of North Carolina football, predicted years ago that Drake Maye would one day win a Super Bowl. Despite skepticism from scouts and personnel directors, Brown has remained confident in Maye’s potential to reach football’s highest achievement.
“When they would come through in the spring before the draft, I said Drake Maye is gonna win the Super Bowl,”
Brown said.
“I don’t know when. He’s gotta get the right teams. Gotta stay healthy. Gotta have good players around him. Good coaches, but he’s gonna win the Super Bowl. That’s who he is.”
Though many dismissed these comments as typical coach enthusiasm, Maye is now on the brink of making history. At just 23 years old, if Maye and the New England Patriots defeat the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, he will become the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl.
A Football Upbringing That Cultivated Champions
Brown credits much of Maye’s readiness to his upbringing surrounded by athletic success. The Maye family is deeply rooted in sports excellence; Maye’s mother was a talented high school basketball player, and his father was a quarterback at UNC who briefly played in the NFL. Five brothers, including Drake, followed athletic paths marked by accomplishment.
Luke and Beau Maye played basketball at North Carolina, with Luke capturing an NCAA championship. Cole Maye added an NCAA baseball title at Florida. This environment of hard work and competition pushed Drake Maye to develop mentally and physically for the challenges ahead.
“He’s been around these guys and competing like it was the Super Bowl every day, and the younger brother was always getting beaten up,”
Brown recalled, highlighting the competitiveness drilled into Maye from an early age.
For Maye, championships were not mere dreams but expected outcomes grounded in preparation and discipline.
“I really believe this and I’ve thought a lot about this,”
Brown said.
“He has prepared for this game his whole life. He prepared to be the quarterback at North Carolina as a kid. That’s what he thought he was going be. So it wasn’t overwhelming for him to walk out there as a redshirt freshman and throw for five touchdowns in his first game.”
Brown added,
“He prepares for the Super Bowl. He’s played this game in his backyard with his brothers. He’s already envisioned this.”
Rapid Progress and Strong Support in the NFL
Maye’s promising rookie season last year came amid turmoil under then-coach Jerod Mayo. However, under the leadership of new head coach Mike Vrabel, Maye significantly improved his performance. He finished second in the MVP race this season and helped lead the Patriots to a Super Bowl appearance.
Brown praised the coaching and the team chemistry Maye has enjoyed.
“This has been a great combination. Coach Vrabel done a great job and it looks like [offensive coordinator] Josh McDaniels and Drake have a tremendous relationship,”
Brown said.
“It’s all fallen into place, so I’m not surprised at all.”
Maye’s Humble Nature and Commitment to Growth
Brown observed that even after receiving major awards at UNC, including MVP honors, Maye remained modest. When Brown suggested Maye’s name be displayed alongside other Carolina football greats at Kenan Memorial Stadium, Maye insisted on waiting so that his teammates would receive equal recognition.
“The first thing he says is, ‘Coach, we can’t do that till I get through,’”
Brown recalled.
“He said, ‘I don’t want my name out there and in front of all the other players. They had as much to do with this as I did.’”
The coach also recounted Maye’s loyalty when rumors swirled about college transfer offers with lucrative NIL deals after his freshman campaign.
“When he walks in and says, ‘Can I talk to you?’ I’m thinking, ‘I don’t know this ain’t good brother,’”
Brown smiled.
“He says, ‘There’s a lot of rumors out there. I’m not going anywhere. I came here to play for you. I’m loyal. I’m staying so don’t worry about it.’”
Rather than focus on financial gain, Maye prioritized improving his skills.
“He said, ‘Let’s get somebody that can help me with my feet. Sometimes I don’t get settled in the pocket and I drift into pressure and I’ve gotta learn to do that better. And I’d like to have somebody work with my throwing motion.’”
To support this growth, North Carolina hired offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, known for developing Jarrett Stidham into an NFL quarterback, and brought in Clyde Christensen, a veteran offensive analyst who coached Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck, as well as Tom Brady with Tampa Bay, to mentor Maye.
Brown’s Support and Family Loyalties During the Super Bowl
Brown will watch the Super Bowl from Austin, Texas, where many of his family members will gather to cheer Maye on. His former players, including Chazz Surratt from UNC and Quandre Diggs, a Seattle practice squad member who played at Texas, are also involved, creating a personal dynamic during the game.
“I just texted with Chazz,” Brown said.
“I said, ‘Be careful. I know you’re supposed to knock Drake out, but let’s be good here.’ It’s hard to pull for both of them when they’re both in the game playing against each other.”
Brown’s family clearly sides with Maye.
“They all love Drake so much,”
he said.
“My family schedules their day around watching Drake play.”
A Chance to Cement a Legacy Against Family Rivalry
The intense competition runs deep in the Maye household. Brown recounted how Maye’s brothers, who have national championship rings, often remind him of their achievements.
“The two brothers with national championship rings always throw those in his face every time he does something good. They hold a ring up. You haven’t got one of these. Come on, little brother,”
Brown said with a laugh.
“This will be a chance on Sunday for him to get that big ring. And that ring will be bigger than theirs.”
Maye’s potential Super Bowl victory would fulfill Mack Brown’s early prediction and carry forward a family legacy built on dedication, competition, and excellence.
