Ole Miss’ John Rhys Plumlee enters the transfer portal
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss dual-sport star John Rhys Plumlee made it official Monday afternoon as he tweeted he is entering the transfer portal.
He posted a series of tweets expressing what his teammates, the fans, and Oxford have meant to him.
“My heart is full and although change is hard, I know change allows each of us to grow and gives us a great opportunity to trust Him. God is now calling me to serve Him in a different area. I am unsure where I will be yet, but I am entering the transfer portal. My prayer is that He will continue to guide and bless my path. I ask for your continued prayers and support as my eyes are on the Lord. I have bathed this decision in prayer. My prayer is also for the continued success of Ole Miss and God‘s richest blessings over Oxford. Thank you, again, from the bottom of my heart.“
John Rhys Plumlee on his decision to enter the transfer portal
There have been rumors for some time that Plumlee might be entering the portal, and The Rebel Walk has confirmed there is interest with UCF and head coach Gus Malzahn in Plumlee’s services as quarterback. He would also be able to play baseball for the Knights.
Plumlee took over the quarterback position in 2019 following an injury to Matt Corral and started the last eight games of the season at quarterback for the Rebels. Plumlee also played outfield for Mike Bianco and the Ole Miss baseball team.
In that 2019 season when Plumlee stepped in for the injured Corral, the Mississippi native set the SEC on fire with his legs, moving atop the Ole Miss freshman rushing record with 1,023 yards while scoring 16 touchdowns. He was eighth in the nation with an average of 113.7 rushing yards per game.
In the COVID-adjusted 2020 season, head coach Lane Kiffin’s first season at Ole Miss, Matt Corral won the job as the starting quarterback as he better fit Kiffin’s offensive scheme. Plumlee played in seven games with one start at wide receiver. He tallied 94 yards on 25 rushing attempts and caught six passes for 79 yards. During 2020 from the QB position, he completed 5-of-7 passes for 65 yards and one touchdown.
In 2021, Plumlee was used sparingly at the receiver spot. He caught 19 passes for 201 yards and threw just one pass (a six-yard completion against Austin Peay). He also carried the ball nine time for 72 yards this season.
1/5 pic.twitter.com/EMLlUtbEIS
— John Rhys Plumlee (@PlumleeJohn) January 3, 2022
2/5 pic.twitter.com/Wiff36OqU2
— John Rhys Plumlee (@PlumleeJohn) January 3, 2022
3/5 pic.twitter.com/8SfFaj2DsD
— John Rhys Plumlee (@PlumleeJohn) January 3, 2022
4/5 pic.twitter.com/Wc2CAt1rBy
— John Rhys Plumlee (@PlumleeJohn) January 3, 2022
5/5 pic.twitter.com/HheEGJdUbY
— John Rhys Plumlee (@PlumleeJohn) January 3, 2022
From the bottom of my heart, Thank You. #HottyToddy #G10rytoGod pic.twitter.com/jB3lg8f9Er
— John Rhys Plumlee (@PlumleeJohn) January 3, 2022
John Rhys has been an outstanding representative for the baseball and football teams, as well as a wonderful ambassador for Ole Miss. His smile, his team spirit, his talent and his love for the Rebels will be missed. We wish him well wherever he ends up and he’ll always have fans in us and the Ole Miss community.
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
