UNC QB Drake Maye has a good resource for advice. It’s his predecessor now in the NFL

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina star quarterback Drake Maye figures he has the perfect resource to help him navigate the challenges ahead in a season of high expectations.

Speaking during the Atlantic Coast Conference’s preseason football media days, Maye said he has been in contact with current NFL quarterback Sam Howell as a sounding board.

“Just trying to soak up all I can from him because he’s lived it and I want to be in the position he’s at,” Maye said.

Maye is being mentioned as a Heisman Trophy candidate and future pro passer for a team aiming to contend for an ACC title.

Two years ago, Maye was a true freshman while Howell was in a similar position. That ended up being a bumpier-than-expected season for UNC, which started ranked No. 10 in the AP Top 25 but finished just 6-7.

Maye said he asked Howell — now set to be the starter in Washington — what he would’ve liked to have done better in that final year. Howell suggested making sure to take care of non-football demands early in a time with college athletes able to profit with endorsement deals using their name, image and likeness (NIL).

“The best thing that I got ... was taking care of all the off-field stuff like NIL,” Maye said. “Obviously agents are in the world now. It’s taking care of that stuff before the season, getting that done and not worrying about that during the season — kind of having that not on your mind as you’re going out there for a snap against Duke or something.”

CHEAPER CHAD

Clemson has brought back past offensive coordinator Chad Morris to its staff, though at a discount.

Morris is working as an analyst this fall after being the Tigers’ first million-dollar assistant before leaving to become SMU’s coach after the 2014 season. He first came to Clemson in 2011 and directed the high-speed attack that helped the Tigers reach the national elite.

Head coach Dabo Swinney called Morris “a very cheap, high qualified guy that’s hanging around.” Swinney said Morris will work with the offense and defense and “really just add a lot of value from another lens.”

EXPERIENCED EAGLES

Boston College coach Jeff Hafley admits his team’s rash of injuries put players out of the field way ahead of schedule last year. Hafley said 37 of 44 players of the Eagles’ two-deep depth chart were first or second-year players.

“Were some ready to play? Maybe not,” Hafley said after a three-win season that included calling on multiple true freshmen.

Hafley is hoping the reward comes this season.

“There’s excitement and there’s energy and our guys are getting older,” Hafley said. “That’s how we have to win at BC.”

STAYING HEALTHY

North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson is eager to hit the field again — and stay healthy after injury concerns the past two years.

The 6-foot-4 redshirt junior was an all-conference performer in 2020 after leading the league with 108 tackles. But, already coming off shoulder surgery, Wilson hurt his other shoulder in the second game of 2021 and missed the rest of the year.

Wilson also missed time early last season before finishing with 83 tackles. He said battling through those issues have given him a more mature mindset.

“That mentality that comes with that and just understanding that nothing is guaranteed in this life and you got to give your 100% every percent of the time,” he said.

UP NEXT

While the “ACC Kickoff” event concluded Thursday, the league will release voting results for the preseason team picks on Tuesday followed by the preseason all-ACC team a day later.

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Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/aaronbeardap

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