The New England Patriots chose former UNC star quarterback Drake Maye third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, hoping he can be their next franchise quarterback.

Many hoped Maye would start from Day One, given a standout collegiate career in which Maye was named the 2022 ACC Player of the Year, but New England head coach Jerod Mayo started proven NFL veteran Jacoby Brissett instead.

Brissett's run didn't last long and Maye made his first career start on Sunday, Oct. 13 against the Houston Texans. Maye turned the ball over three times, but he also shined with 265 passing yards, three touchdowns and a Patriots-best 38 rushing yards.

Maye's first start was so impressive that it caught the eye of several, high-profile former NFL stars, including 2016 MVP Matt Ryan, Super Bowl XL-winning coach Bill Cowher and 3-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt.

"I'm encouraged by the way Drake Maye played," Watt said postgame. "I am definitely encouraged, going forward, that he is a guy I can get excited about."

"I thought putting him in there was the right thing to do right now," Cowher said. "He gives them the best chance to win."

"I was pleasantly surprised with what I saw from him," Ryan said. "The level of athleticism he provided to that football team: making guys around him better. Also throwing the football down the field, which is an area they had struggled in coming into this game. Good on Drake Maye. He came out there and performed really well."

Maye's first touchdown came in the waning seconds of the first half, a 40-yard bomb to second-year wide receiver Kayshoun Boutte. Maye also tossed touchdowns to Hunter Henry and DeMario Douglas, both in the second half.

If Maye keeps playing like he did Sunday, he'll be gaining recognition on a weekly basis.

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire : Three NFL legends impressed by Drake Maye's first NFL start