SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Drake May’s Super Bowl Journey

Drake May has been to the Super Bowl before, back when he was in middle school. He traveled from Charlotte, North Carolina, to catch the Panthers in Super Bowl 50, a game they lost to the Broncos. Fast forward ten years, and now he’s set to play quarterback for the Patriots against the Seahawks in the Super Bowl this Sunday.

“Being here and being able to perform means a lot to me. I definitely don’t take it for granted,” May shared. “I realize how special this moment is. I’m just focusing on enjoying the game, appreciating my teammates, and those who helped me get here while aiming for a win.”

It’s quite an impressive feat for May, who reached this pinnacle just in his second season. He’s now among a select group—only Dan Marino and Ben Roethlisberger have started a Super Bowl before turning 24. May will celebrate his 23rd birthday just a few days later, making him the second youngest quarterback to appear in this grand event.

He joined the Patriots as the No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft. While he had some highlights as a rookie, he wasn’t yet viewed as a top-tier player. However, in 2025, he really shone, becoming an MVP contender and steering the Patriots to a strong 14-3 season before a successful run in the AFC playoffs.

Head coach Mike Vrabel weighed in on May’s success, noting there’s no mystery behind it.

“It starts with talent, honestly,” Vrabel said. “He’s incredibly athletic and plays with a level of skill that allows him to make precise throws, whether he’s in the pocket or making plays under pressure. His competitive spirit and constant drive to learn are significant reasons for our success.”

NBC Sports analyst Chris Sims ranked May sixth among quarterbacks during his 2024 draft analysis.

“I wasn’t his biggest fan at first,” Sims admitted. “But after looking at his film from North Carolina, you could see his potential. He had routes that were nearly impossible due to their slant patterns, but he fixed those issues.”

Sims initially had reservations about May’s mechanics, describing them as somewhat fragmented. “He had this habit of starting and stopping his throwing motion, which wasn’t very fluid,” Sims noted. “His footwork was all over, like Dorothy in ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ constantly tapping. But credit to him for addressing those mechanics, especially with coaches like Vrabel and McDaniels fine-tuning his skills.”

Despite the initial skepticism, Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boot saw the talent right away. “I always knew Drake was the one. Once you practice with him daily, it’s clear what he’s capable of,” Boot expressed.

There’s some uncertainty regarding May’s health status for the game, as he has been dealing with a shoulder injury. Still, he mentioned earlier this week that he feels ready to go.

While his playoff performances weren’t as stellar, he faced some formidable defenses from the Chargers, Texans, and Broncos. Sims, however, raised concerns about May’s confidence heading into the game, noting that it had been weeks since he’d felt fully on his game.

“It’s been about five or six weeks since he was at his peak,” Sims remarked. “That can weigh on your mentality, especially in his position.”