At a Glance
- Drake Maye is the youngest of four athletic brothers from North Carolina
- All three older brothers played college sports at major programs
- Luke won a national title with UNC basketball; Cole won an NCAA baseball title at Florida
- Why it matters: The Maye family shows how sibling competition forged one of the NFL’s rising stars
Drake Maye’s NFL success didn’t happen in isolation. The New England Patriots quarterback comes from a family where sports dominance runs deep and sibling rivalry pushed him to excel.
The youngest of four boys, Maye grew up fighting for every rebound and backyard touchdown against older brothers who would all become college athletes. That competitive fire helped shape the player who went third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Maye Brothers’ Athletic Empire
Born to Mark and Aimee Maye, the four brothers grew up in Cornelius, North Carolina, where sports weren’t just a pastime-they were a way of life.
The brother lineup:
- Luke (oldest): UNC basketball 2015-2019, 2017 national champion
- Cole: Florida baseball, NCAA title winner
- Beau: UNC basketball walk-on, 2022-23 season
- Drake: Youngest, now Patriots franchise quarterback
Their father Mark laid the foundation, playing football for North Carolina from 1983 to 1988. But it was the brothers who turned the family’s athletic genes into a dynasty spanning multiple sports and universities.
Luke’s Carolina Legacy
Luke Maye didn’t just play at UNC-he became a Tar Heel legend. His most memorable moment came during the 2017 Elite Eight when he sank a game-winning jumper with 0.3 seconds remaining, propelling the team toward their eventual national championship.
The brothers’ mother Aimee told ESPN that being the oldest, Luke “set the standard” for his siblings. When Drake and Luke walked around campus together, fans would approach Luke for photos, a reminder of the shadow Drake had to escape.
Cole’s Different Path
Cole Maye broke the family’s UNC streak by heading south to the University of Florida. After graduating high school early in December 2016, he enrolled immediately and joined the Gators baseball team in March 2017.
His decision paid off-Cole won an NCAA baseball title during his time in Gainesville, according to Drake’s UNC bio. While his brothers dominated basketball courts, Cole proved the family’s athletic talent extended to the baseball diamond.
Beau’s Brief Stint
Beau followed Luke to Chapel Hill, walking on to the UNC basketball team for the 2022-23 season. Though his role was limited-he grabbed just two rebounds for the team-it showed the family’s continued connection to Carolina athletics.
Unlike his brothers, Beau didn’t return for the 2023-24 season, but his time there maintained the family’s presence in UNC sports.
The Competition That Built a Star
Growing up as “the little brother” shaped Drake’s entire approach to sports. His mother Aimee told ESPN that Drake’s “heart just beat faster than the rest of them because he knew he was really in the game of his life here.”
Drake’s mentality became: “I’ve got to fight for my right to play in the pickup game in the driveway or to play football in the backyard.”
That competitiveness never faded. Drake told ESPN that having three older brothers meant “everything we’re doing, we’re trying to win. I think it’s kinda part of who we are and we embrace it, and we love it.”
Their father Mark noted that Drake was always the one dishing out “smack talk,” while Aimee viewed their competitiveness as a “good thing” that pushed each brother to improve.
The Draft Night Reunion
When the Patriots selected Drake as the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, all three brothers were there to celebrate. Luke flew back from Japan, where he plays professional basketball, just to attend the ceremony.
“My oldest brother, Luke, he plays basketball overseas in Japan. He flew back yesterday and made it in for the trip,” Drake told CBS.
The quarterback called his brothers his “best friends,” showing that despite years of fierce competition, the sibling bond remained unbreakable.
From Backyard to Big Stage
Drake’s journey from fighting for playing time in the backyard to becoming an NFL franchise quarterback reflects the unique pressure cooker of growing up as the youngest in an athletic family.
At Myers Park High School in Charlotte, Drake earned The Charlotte Observer’s 2019 male athlete of the year honors in both football and basketball. But those individual accolades came after years of proving himself against older, more developed competition.
The Maye brothers’ story illustrates how sibling dynamics can forge elite athletes. Drake didn’t just compete against his brothers-he competed for their respect, for playing time, for the right to be considered their equal.
Now, as he enters his second NFL season with a playoff appearance against the Houston Texans on January 18, Drake carries with him the competitive edge honed by three older brothers who never let him win easily.
Key Takeaways:
- Drake Maye’s NFL rise was fueled by competing against three athletic older brothers
- Each brother found success: Luke as a UNC basketball legend, Cole as a Florida baseball champion, Beau as a UNC walk-on
- The family’s competitive culture pushed Drake to excel from backyard games to the NFL Draft
- All four brothers maintain close relationships despite years of fierce rivalry
