By R.L. Bynum
Entering his second NFL season, former UNC quarterback Drake Maye has been impressive during New England Patriots training camp, not just in command of the offense, but in execution.
Through the first seven practices, Maye has yet to throw an interception, a clean run that’s turning heads given the volume and difficulty of throws he’s attempting.
He’s not playing safe football — he’s playing smart.
“I’m trying to take care of the football,” Maye said during a press conference after practice Thursday in Foxborough, Mass. “Maybe they could have had a few [interceptions] here and there. You’re not trying to throw a perfect game or no-hitter. But I think that’s part of not being scared to throw it. I’m still not gun-shy.”
In his rookie season, Maye completed 225 of 338 yards for 2,276 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Maye’s camp performance is marked by confident decision-making and a willingness to test tight coverage downfield. He isn’t leaning on checkdowns to avoid mistakes.
“It’s easy to throw the check down,” he said. “But it’s not realistic, moving the football and getting big kind of chunk plays, which are the plays you win the games with — when you’re throwing the ball down the field and throwing in tight windows.”
That mindset has been a continuation of how he played as a rookie — aggressive, competitive and mobile. The Patriots are leaning even further into his athleticism, with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels incorporating more designed quarterback runs into the scheme.
“It’s an even balance. You gain an extra hat. You make it 11-on-11 instead of 10-on-11,” Maye said. “Mixing in the quarterback run game is something I’m open to.”
Maye’s comfort outside the pocket is part of what made him effective at Carolina and during his rookie season, but he acknowledged the importance of picking his spots more carefully now.
“My first year [at UNC], I was really kind of running around and doing some stuff I probably shouldn’t have out there with pads on,” he said. “So, I think just taking care of my body and being smart. But also, when it’s third down, when it’s near the end zone, like I’m 6–5 and 230 pounds. Go get something.”
Another sign of Maye’s progression is his command at the line of scrimmage. He’s taken on more responsibility with protection calls and pre-snap adjustments, building on the foundation he carried from college.
“It helps that I did that in college,” he said. “Me and my center, we kind of set the line where we wanted and changed it and did a little of that last year. It’s nice knowing it’s my job to send those guys the right spot, get them on the same page.”
He’s also building chemistry with a restructured receiving group, including a developing red-zone connection with veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who signed a three-year deal with New England in March.
“It’s just a mindset, attacking the football,” Maye said. “A guy of his stature who has caught a lot of touchdowns in this league, made a lot of big plays, he wants to go get the football. He tells me all the time, just if the ball’s in the air, it’s gonna be mine.”
Maye said that that’s the mindset in the wide receiver room, which also includes former UNC star Mack Hollins, who also signed with the Patriots in March. Hollins came off the PUP list and and was part of 11-on-11 drills with Maye on the field Thursday.
With joint practices and preseason games approaching, Maye’s turnover-free streak isn’t the focus — it’s the byproduct of sharper timing, cleaner mechanics and better decision-making.
“We’re coming together, jelling nicely,” he said. “We’ve got a good look with our defense. I feel good, feel in a good spot. But there’s still a lot of work left.”
Although he may not get many snaps, the Patriots’ first exhibition game is at 7:30 Friday, Aug. 8, at home against the Washington Commanders.
Tar Heels in NFL camps
British Brooks, Houston Texans running back
Age 26 | 5–11, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — First-string fullback
2025 statistics —13 games, 17 carries, 787 yards (20 longest); 5 special-teams tackles, 5 special-teams assists
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Buffalo, CBS
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Cincinnati, CBS
Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders wide receiver
Age 26 | 6–0, 195 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Second-string right wide receiver
2025 statistics (Jacksonville) — 17 games, 7 starts, 23 catches, 220 yards (39 longest), 9.9 average, 1 TD, 1 fumble (lost); 5 carries, 26 yards (9 longest); 4 kickoff returns, 106 yards (31 longest)
Week 1 — 4:25 Sunday at Philadelphia, Fox
Week 2 — 4:25 Sunday at Dallas, Fox
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 25 | 5–9, 171 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver
2025 statistics — 16 games, 11 starts, 58 catches, 566 yards (34 longest), 4 touchdowns; 2 rushes, -2 yards; 7 punt returns, 68 yards; 2 tackles
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Baltimore, CBS
Week 2 — 8:20 Sunday at Kansas City, NBC
Joshua Ezeudu, Kansas City Chiefs tackle/guard
Age 26 | 6–4, 310 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–21
Roster situation — Second-string left guard
2025 statistics — (with New York Giants) Missed the season with a severe calf injury suffered during training camp (played 17 games in 2024)
Week 1 — 8:15 Monday vs. Denver, ESPN
Week 2 — 8:20 Sunday vs. Indianapolis, NBC
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 23 | 6–2, 235 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting weakside linebacker
2025 statistics — 16 games, 15 starts, 94 tackles, 65 assists, 7 tackles for losses, 1 sack for 7 yards, 3 passes defended, 2 quarterback pressures, 1 quarterback hit, 2 special-teams tackles, 2 fumble recoveries
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New Your Jets, CBS
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Age 23 | 6–0, 220 | second NFL season | UNC 2022–24
Roster situation — Starting running back
2025 statistics — 9 games, 6 starts, 124 carries, 545 yards (54 longest), 4.4 average, 4 touchdowns; 32 catches, 192 yards (22 longest), 1 touchdown; 1 fumble recovery
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Buffalo, CBS
Week 2 — 4:30 Sunday vs. Las Vegas Raiders, CBS
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 29 | 6–1, 240 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Second-string right inside linebacker
2025 statistics — 12 games, 3 starts, 19 tackles, 11 assists, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 3 special-teams assists
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Atlanta, Fox
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New England, CBS
Mack Hollins, New England Patriots wide receiver
Age 32 | 6–4, 221 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Second-string right wide receiver
2025 statistics — 15 games, 47 catches, 550 yards, 12.0 average, 54 longest, 2 touchdowns
Week 1 — Seahawks 13, Patriots 10 (Wednesday) | Started: 4 catches on 5 targets, 51 yards (19 longest); 50 offensive snaps (70%), 8 special-teams snaps (36)
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Pittsburgh, CBS
Sam Howell, Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Age 24 | 6–1, 225 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Backup quarterback
2024 season statistics (Seattle Seahawks); didn’t play in 2025 when with Philadelphia — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 interception, 14.6 passer rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Week 1 — 8:20 Sunday at New York Giants, NBC
Week 2 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Washington, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 29 | 5–10, 191 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting cornerback
2005 season statistics — 12 games, 38 tackles, 11 assists, 1 interception
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Pittsburgh, Fox
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Carolina, Fox
Willie Lampkin, Philadelphia Eagles guard/center
Age 24 | 5–11, 290 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Second-string left guard
2025 statistics — Didn’t play; went on injured reserve in late August
Week 1 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Washington, Fox
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tennessee, Fox
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 23 | 6–4, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —Starting quarterback
2025 statistics — 17 games, 17 starts, 354 of 492, 4,494 (72 longest), 71.9%, 31 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 47 sacks (201 yards in losses), 113.5 rating; 103 carries, 450 yards (28 longest), 4 touchdowns; 1 two-point conversion run; 3 fumbles (2 lost, 1 recovered)
Week 1 — Seahawks 13, Patriots 10 (Wednesday) | started: 23 of 33, 178 yards (19 longest), 178 yards, 1 touchdown (two-yard pass to Eli Raridon), 3 interceptions, 3 sacks (10 yards), 54.9 passer rating; 7 carries, 47 yards (16 longest); 71 offensive snaps (100%)
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Pittsburgh, CBS
Asim Richards, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 25 | 6–4, 307 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle
2025 statistics — 15 games, 4 starts, 359 offensive snaps, 53 special-teams snaps
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at Detroit, Fox
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Baltimore, CBS
Chazz Surratt, Seattle Seahawks linebacker
Age 29 | 6–2, 233 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string weakside linebacker
2025 statistics — 11 games, 4 tackles
Week 1 — Seahawks 13, Patriots 10 (Wednesday) | started: 1 tackle on kickoff coverage, 1 assist on kickoff coverage; called for a roughing-the-kicker penalty; 17 special-teams snaps (77%)
Week 2 — 4:25 Sunday at Arizona, Fox
Mitch Trubisky, Tennessee Titans quarterback
Age 30 | 6–3, 222 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Cam Ward
2025 statistics (Buffalo) — 4 games, 25 of 35, 313 yards (37 longest), 4 touchdowns, 1 2-point conversion completion; 9 carries, 6 yards (9 longest)
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New Your Jets, CBS
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–1, 198 | third NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Second-string wide receiver
2025 statistics — 11 games, 2 starts, 6 catches, 136 yards (38 longest), 3 touchdowns; 1 tackle, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 2 QB hit, 2 special-teams assists
Week 1 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, CBS
Week 2 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New Orleans, CBS
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 26 | 5–10, 220 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
2025 statistics — 16 games, 16 starts, 252 carries, 1,201 yards (4.8 average; 66 longest), 11 touchdowns; 35 catches, 137 yards (3.9 average; 14 longest), 2 touchdowns
Week 1 — 8:20 Sunday at New York Giants, NBC
Week 2 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Washington, Fox
On season-ending injured reserve
— New Orleans running back Ty Chandler; suffered a knee injury in the second preseason game; ran for 45 yards in two preseason games
On injured reserve
— Minnesota cornerback Marcus Allen; had 2 tackles, 1 assist in 45 preseason snaps
— New York Giants rookie cornerback Thaddeus Dixon (torn Achilles)
On PUP list
— Houston safety M.J. Stewart (torn quad), who didn’t play during the preseason
On practice squads
— Los Angeles Rams center Austin Blaske; played every offensive snap of all three preseason games
— Tennessee running back Michael Carter by Tennessee; had three catches for 20 yards and a 43-yard kickoff return in the last preseason game
— Houston cornerback Alijah Huzzie
— Minnesota defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie; had four tackles and three assists in 77 total preseason snaps
— Baltimore linebacker Kaimon Rucker; had 5 tackles, 1 assist, 1 sack (6 yards), 2 tackles for losses and 1 quarterback hit in their 41–3 preseason win Friday
Waived in camp
— Linebacker Power Echols by Seattle
— Linebacker Tomon Fox by Los Angeles Rams; had 28 tackles and 13 special-teams tackles in two preseason games
— Linebacker Amari Gainer by New England; had 4 tackles and two assists in three preseason games
— Offensive lineman Charlie Heck by the Miami Dolphins
— Defensive end Smith Vilbert by Minnesota; had one tackle in 47 preseason snaps
Waived with injury designation
— Tight end Bryson Nesbit by Minnesota after collecting 3 catches for 29 yards in two preseason games; had been listed as fifth string
Photo via @UNCFootball
