One of the top quarterbacks in the 2021 class, Drake Maye, returned to Tuscaloosa over the weekend to workout for the Crimson Tide staff. The visit marked the Cornelius (N.C.) Myers Park product’s second time back this year after visiting for a practice in the spring.

“It was great,” Maye told BamaOnLine. “I got there Friday night and then worked out Saturday morning, got to spend time with the coaches, it was great.”

The 6-foot-4, 200-pound signal caller specifically enjoyed getting the opportunity to learn from Tide offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian.

“It was awesome,” Maye said. “Coach Sark and Coach (Tino) Sunseri were great. Their receivers were awesome. Just getting a chance to see how they coach and just build the relationship a little more, it was awesome.”

Overall, the program has impressed Maye in his two times on campus this year.

“I just like the vibe around there,” he said. “It’s straight business. It’s all about winning, but not just about football. Coach (Nick) Saban said it’s about growing as players and young men. Then just the winning mentality, Bama’s the best of the best. You can’t beat it. It’s a great place to play football at.”

UA assistant Charles Kelly recruits Maye’s area. Contact rules prohibit coaches from reaching out to rising juniors until Sept. 1, but recruits are welcome to call coaches themselves anytime. Maye says he’s consistently stayed in contact with Alabama.

The four-star quarterback has some pretty strong ties to Chapel Hill. His dad Mark played quarterback for the Tar Heels, and his older brother Luke was star forward for the UNC basketball team. Despite the home-state ties, Drake isn’t letting it affect his recruitment.

“I’m open to everywhere,” he said. “Some people assume, but there’s a lot of great places to play football.”

Last week, along with Tuscaloosa, Maye visited Clemson and Tennessee. He plans to get back to North Carolina this Saturday and possibly South Carolina later on.

As for a decision?

“Probably after my junior season, but you never know,” Maye said. “Whatever I kind of feel like is right. But the plan is probably the spring after my junior season.”

Maye is rated the No. 5 pro-style quarterback and the No. 51 overall player in the country, per 247Sports.