North Carolina
2024 NFL mock draft roundup: Where is North Carolina QB Drake Maye predicted to go?
Drake Maye on his college career and his meeting with the Patriots
North Carolina QB Drake Maye speaks at the 2024 NFL Combine.
Sports Seriously
The 2024 NFL Draft kicks off next week. Hundreds of college players will hope to hear their names called in Campus Martius Park in Detroit during the three days of the draft. One of those players who will likely hear their name called early in the draft is North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye.
Which teams need a QB in NFL draft? Ranking all 32 based on outlook at position
The son of former World League of America Football (WLAF) quarterback Mark Maye and younger brother of Tar Heels basketball star Luke Maye, Drake Maye started at quarterback for two years at North Carolina. He earned ACC Player of the Year honors in 2022, led the conference in passing in 2023 and finished the 2023 season third in the FBS in total offense per game.
As a prospect, Maye’s prototypical size at 6 feet, 4 inches tall and 223 lbs. and arm strength at just 21 years old makes him one of the more enticing prospects in the draft. He has reliable mobility outside of the pocket, too, evidenced by his collegiate 42 rushing first downs on third and fourth down. In a draft without USC quarterback Caleb Williams, he’d likely be in consideration for the first overall pick.
2024 NFL draft rankings: Caleb Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr. lead top 50 players
2024 NFL mock draft: J.J. McCarthy or Drake Maye for Patriots at No. 3?
But with Williams the consensus top pick, where will Maye go? Here’s what experts from USA Today, NFL.com, ESPN, The Ringer and The Athletic predict:
Drake Maye 2024 NFL draft predictions
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY: No. 5 to the Minnesota Vikings (via trade with the Los Angeles Chargers)
Middlehurst-Schwartz: “[Vikings] Quarterbacks coach Josh McCown coached Maye at Myers Park High School in Charlotte, and it’s easy to see why Minnesota would be excited about adding a rocket-armed signal-caller comfortable operating on the move, especially as the franchise turns the page from the Kirk Cousins era. For Maye, there might be no better situation for his development than learning under McCown and Kevin O’Connell while having Justin Jefferson on the receiving end of his deep bombs and Christian Darrisaw keeping him clean.”
Peter Schrager, NFL.com: No. 3 to the New England Patriots
Schrager: “Despite lots of smoke that New England could trade down, I believe this new Patriots regime will be comfortable with either Jayden Daniels or Maye. Pats brass took Maye out for steaks the night before his Foxborough visit earlier this month, and those guys loved the Charlotte native. That said, they also loved their top-30 visit with Daniels. I think they’re fine with whichever one falls to them.”
Field Yates, ESPN: No. 3 to the New England Patriots
Yates: “I am firmly of the belief that the Patriots should not trade down from this pick and should take a quarterback, regardless whether it is Maye or Daniels… While he had a lesser year in 2023 compared to 2022, I still see all the traits for him to be a franchise quarterback. And New England needs one after finishing 30th in yards per attempt last season (6.1). The Patriots must use the rest of this draft to surround Maye with wide receiver and offensive line help.”
Danny Heifetz, The Ringer: No. 3 to the New England Patriots
Heifetz: “With Williams and Daniels off the board, Maye falls into the Patriots’ lap. He is a prototypical NFL quarterback who doubles as a playmaker from the pocket and on the run. New England already has Jacoby Brissett on board for 2024 and can let Maye sit and learn the NFL game on the bench.”
Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic: No. 2 to the Washington Commanders
Baumgardner: “Maye is still growing as a passer, particularly in his consistency processing from the pocket. When you stack him up next to Jayden Daniels, though, Maye’s strengths are stronger and the weaknesses are similar. This will be a preference decision for Adam Peters and the Washington front office. For me, Maye is QB2.”
‘I’ve persevered through’: Once a five-star recruit, Xavier Thomas navigated depression to get back on NFL draft path
2024 NFL Draft odds: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
According to latest NFL Draft odds from BetMGM, Maye’s the favorite to be the third overall pick. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2024.
Maye’s the favorite for the third overall pick (-130). He’s second in odds for the second overall pick (+175) behind LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.
When is the 2024 NFL Draft?
Where: Campus Marius Park at Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan
When: April 25-27, 2024
Cable TV: ESPN, ABC, NFL Network
Streaming: NFL+; ESPN+; fuboTV
How to watch: Catch the NFL Draft this year with a subscription to fuboTV
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.
RALEIGH, N.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is ending its annual survey that tracks hunger in the country, despite the rise in food costs.
Here in North Carolina, where more than 600,000 people face food insecurity, local organizations like The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina say the cuts could affect how they can serve families in the state.
At the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, dozens of volunteers spend hours packing boxes with bread, milk, meat and canned goods, some essentials for families who can’t afford to purchase them on their own.
Here in North Carolina, officials say over 600,000 people face food insecurity. That’s why staff and volunteers say the timing couldn’t be worse.
Volunteer Cathy Engel says it’s not just about packing the food, but building a connection with a family even if it’s brief.
“Meeting all the people that come in and talking to them, that’s what makes me want to continue to come,” Engel said.
She says that in her five years of service she’s seen the need for food increase, but supplies are decreasing.
“We’re much more limited in what we give out, and even what the food shelves are limited in, what they’re allowed to get from this distribution center,” she said.
Vice President Jason Kanawati Stephany agreed, saying that the USDA’s decision could cause more harm than good to communities in need.
“Our pantries are seeing near unprecedented need. So we don’t need that government data to validate that experience,” Kanawati Stephany said. “But here’s where the government data is vital. It’s vital for us to make decisions about where we invest our resources. And more importantly, it tells government leaders where resources and investments are needed.”
“Trends in the prevalence of food insecurity have remained virtually unchanged, regardless of an over 87% increase in SNAP spending between 2019-2023,” the USDA said in its announcement.
But volunteers aren’t giving up, and entire organizations like Blue Cross N.C. are sending employees to help meet the growing need.
Lori Taylor, health food director at Blue Cross N.C., said it’s important to step away from everyday tasks and give a helping hand.
“This is the way that we can all make an individual contribution together,” Taylor said.
Engel says they’ll continue to show up.
“It’s hard to be hopeful, but this place gives me hope,” she expressed.
In 2023, 47 million people lived in food-insecure households, according to the USDA. Of those, nearly 14 million were children.
The survey has been published annually for 30 years, throughout both Republican and Democratic administrations.
The last report is scheduled to be released on Oct. 22.
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 5:46PM
CONCORD, N.C. (WTVD) — Vice President JD Vance will visit North Carolina on Wednesday.
He will be in Concord to talk about public safety following the murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska. This comes after the state Senate passed a reform bill called ‘Iryna’s Law,’ which would eliminate cashless bail and lays out new condition for pretrial release for certain violence offenses.
This will be Vance’s first trip to the Tar Heel state since becoming vice president.
Copyright © 2025 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.
North Carolina
City leaders eye improvements to Raleigh’s Dix Park as DHHS moves out of park buildings
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — As the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services prepares to vacate several buildings at Dorothea Dix Park, the City of Raleigh is taking full control of the 308-acre property. City leaders say the future of the park is just beginning
Dix Park welcomed over 600,000 visitors between June and August, with guests from 42 states. It was the second most visited destination in North Carolina this summer, trailing only Wrightsville Beach.
City officials and the Dix Park Conservancy are now focused on the next phase of park improvements.
“During COVID, we learned that our parks became our sanctuaries of sanity,” said Raleigh City Council Member Mitchell Silver. “It’s where people go to feel mentally and physically healthy. We want that for our city.”
One of the park’s most notable additions this year was the opening of Gipson Play Plaza, now the largest adventure playground in the Southeast.
More upgrades are planned, including new public art installations and renovations to existing structures.
Ruffin Hall, president and CEO of the Dix Park Conservancy, outlined some of the upcoming enhancements.
“There’s lots of fun things going on at the park: House of Many Porches where you can go and grab a snack, renovating the Flowers Cottage next to Flowers Field,” Hall said. “We’re also looking at renovating the dog park and the trolls.”
With DHHS preparing to vacate state-owned buildings on the property, some structures will be demolished, while others may be retrofitted for new uses.
“To me, that’s a great opportunity, having a nice enclave of some market rate residential buildings,” Silver said. “Long-term leases or sales could generate money to reinvest in the park.”
Silver has seen this model succeed in other cities, where revenue from residential developments fully funded park improvements without relying on taxpayer dollars.
Plans also include a new entrance on South Saunders Street, and the city is exploring expanded public transportation options to better connect the park with downtown Raleigh.
Many of the park’s improvements have been made possible by a $75 million fundraising campaign led by the Conservancy.
“The City of Raleigh has some tremendous donors, civic-minded folks who made generous contributions,” Hall said. “That partnership with the city is what really made this happen — and that’s what makes Raleigh so special.”
Copyright © 2025 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Donald Trump Fitness: Can His Golf Workouts Replace the Gym? Explore Trump’s Golf Exercise Routine and Health Benefits
They Call Him OG Movie Review: Action-packed yet narratively uneven gangster drama
Mail stolen from 6 USPS mailboxes across Fort Lee, N.J. Map shows where residents need to be wary
Human plague case reported in Bernalillo County, second in state this year
USDA terminates annual Hunger Survey as food banks see growing demand
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
Read the Letter to the Inspectors General
GOP senator blasts Schumer, Dems as 'forcing' shutdown while demanding price tag report
Palestine as a state – what would that actually look like?
Farage refuses to criticise Trump over paracetamol despite health experts dismissing autism claims
House plans Thursday vote on government funding bill to extend spending through November
-
Health1 week agoWho Makes Vaccine Policy Decisions in RFK Jr.’s Health Department?
-
Finance4 days agoReimagining Finance: Derek Kudsee on Coda’s AI-Powered Future
-
Lifestyle1 week agoBobbi Brown doesn’t listen to men in suits about makeup : Wild Card with Rachel Martin
-
Business1 week agoHow Nexstar’s Proposed TV Merger Is Tied to Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension
-
North Dakota4 days agoBoard approves Brent Sanford as new ‘commissioner’ of North Dakota University System
-
Technology3 days agoThese earbuds include a tiny wired microphone you can hold
-
Crypto3 days agoTexas brothers charged in cryptocurrency kidnapping, robbery in MN
-
World1 week agoRussian jets enter Estonia's airspace in latest test for NATO