Ole Miss QB Matt Corral Drafted by the Carolina Panthers
It’s official! Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral is a Carolina Panther! The Panthers traded into round three and have selected Corral with the 94th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Matt Corral is a Panther! #NFLRebels #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/NR8hZ6uJX6
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) April 30, 2022
“He can spin the football…” Congrats to Matt Corral on being drafted by the Carolina Panthers! #HYDR pic.twitter.com/SZClTVBPBk
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) April 30, 2022
The Rebels’ quarterback, who had been projected to go anywhere from from the first round to the second, led Ole Miss in 2021 to the first 10-win regular-season in school history, an appearance in the Sugar Bowl against Big 12 champ Baylor and a No. 11 ranking in the final Associated Press poll.
During 2020, Corral recorded a 3,337-yard, 29-touchdown, 14-interception season. He followed that up in 2021 with a 3,349-yard, 20-TD, and five-INT season with a seventh-place showing in Heisman Trophy voting.
What the Panthers are getting in Corral
Corral possesses undeniable arm talent. He has the ability to put the ball into tight windows and does so with consistent accuracy. He also has one of the quickest releases you will find, getting the ball out fast and launching from multiple arm angles.
2020 Egg Bowl, Matt Corral playing Long Ball… pic.twitter.com/DrHsMUPktB
— David Walker (@DavidWalkerQB) April 27, 2022
In 2018, Corral was the No. 4 pro-style quarterback in his recruiting class. But there’s no doubt he can make plays with his legs. Rebels saw him use his athleticism to avoid pressure or collapsing pockets. He’s put a lot of time into his footwork, allowing him to be mobile in the pocket.
When he’s forced out of the pocket, Corral is hard to bring down in the open field. He does an excellent job of keeping his eyes downfield and exhibits an outstanding ability to change direction. He has also shown he can throw with accuracy on the move.
But, as you can see below, Matt can also dodge rushers and remain steady in the pocket when he needs to.
QB Film Room Isolation Series, Matt Corral (Ole Miss) & Throwing with Anticipation #nfldraft pic.twitter.com/vIgOwmH5cQ
— QB Film Room (@ThrowRockets) April 27, 2022
For an expert look at Corral, check out our QB Film Room from former D1 QB David Walker.
#QB1FilmRoom: Blackjack, 4th Downs, and Top Plays from the Alabama game – @TheRebelWalk https://t.co/JFjji0cw2N
— David Walker (@DavidWalkerQB) October 8, 2021
Corral’s leadership and poise are off the charts. Ole Miss fans frequently saw the California native put the team on his back, willing to do anything to get the win. His teammates want to play for him because they trust him to always put them first.
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.
