North Carolina Ranks As A Most Popular State For Lacrosse

The sport of lacrosse has significantly grown in America in the past few years. That evolution includes the growth of the professional Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). That coincides with the fact that the sport will be in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. North Carolina was recently named a state where lacrosse is most popular.

In anticipation of the upcoming 2024 season, StrawPoll currently has a ranking that details the ten states where lacrosse is most popular in America.  What's unique about StrawPoll's information is they engage with public opinion, suggesting the public weigh in on the subject at hand. So here, lacrosse enthusiasts offer their voices on the increased love of the game.

Furthermore, this sport is increasingly popular among youth athletes. In fact, the Professional Box Lacrosse Association says, "While many sports need you to be super tall or built like a linebacker, lacrosse is for anyone who can hold a stick." They also highlight how lacrosse is inexpensive to play. In addition, the availability of options and the fact that games are filled with high-scoring action add to the appeal.

Coming in right behind California and ahead of Ohio, North Carolina has a lot of great lacrosse opportunities. The state is filled with club programs like Team 91. Duke University and the University of North Carolina are constantly solid division one programs. The Duke men's team ranked second in the nation last season, and their women's team was #37. UNC men were #15, and their women's team ranked fifth.

As for the professional programs, the PLL announced back in November that the Chaos Club will be the Carolina area home team. Now, local lax lovers will have a team and logo to support at the highest rank.

To build excitement for the 2024 season, the PLL will hold their Championship Series tournament starting February 14.

Lastly, one of the biggest names and pioneers in the history of women's lacrosse, Charlotte North will be holding an elite youth clinic later this month. It will take place in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

On Wednesday, December 27, North Carolina will play their last game of the season in Charlotte (Duke's Mayo Bowl vs. West Virginia). With Drake Maye being one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL draft, it's time to take a look at three potential landing destinations for the star quarterback.

UNC is coming off a 8-4 record this season. Although his statistics were not as high as last year, Maye still had an incredible year, throwing for 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns. At just 21 years old, Maye is the ideal size for a NFL quarterback, standing 6 foot 4.

Many of the top players have still to officially declare for the draft. Yet, the expectation is that all the names we are seeing atop the mock draft boards will be moving up to the next level. There have been eyes on this year's class for a few years now. That's largely due to the generational quarterback pool.

USC's Caleb Williams is a safe assumption to be the first overall pick. That's where things can get tricky. The Carolina Panthers currently have the worst record at 1-11. However, due to last year's trade, the Chicago Bears own their pick. Do the Bears need or want a QB? They just drafted Justin Fields. Of course, we still have the NFL combine, player pro days, and team meetings ahead of us. Much can change in that time. Still, I believe Maye will be the next quarterback taken after Williams.

To further emphasize how deep (and potentially special)  this class is, three of the four Heisman Trophy finalists this season are quarterbacks. None of them are named Caleb Williams or Drake Maye (Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr.)

Come April, we can see as many as 10 NFL teams in need of a new quarterback.  Here are three NFL teams that have a good probability of selecting in the top five picks of the NFL draft, where Drake Maye will likely be taken.

Mac Jones may be handing his #10 jersey to another #10. With Jones expecting to be gone in New England, the Patriots will be one of the many teams interested in Maye. Their record also indicates they will have a top pick. What makes this equally intriguing is the fact that Maye could come into the Patriots at the same time as a new coach.

This would be a fantastic landing spot for Maye. Daniel Jones is out for year with his knee injury. The Giants could once again use a fresh start. Maye has many of the characteristics of a tough traditional Meadowlands quarterback, much like Phil Simms or Eli Manning. Maye has the demeanor, confidence, and intangible attributes to be the new face of this franchise.

Here's the wildcard of the bunch, and perhaps a stretch. Why? Because the Vikings will have to trade and move up to have a realistic chance at Maye. Crowd-favorite Kirk Cousins tore his achillies and doesn't have the long-term contract to fall back on. Furthermore, head couch Kevin O'Connell was a NFL quarterback himself. A young guy coming and developing under his tutelage would be a welcomed change that sets up Maye with support and success. It also doesn't hurt when you a guy like Justin Jefferson in house to throw the ball to.