Former Ole Miss QB Matt Corral is Back in the NFL as he Signs with Minnesota
On Friday, former Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral was signed by the Minnesota Vikings after they lost rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy to injury.
The Vikings selected McCarthy 10th in the NFL Draft on April 25th. But the former Michigan quarterback had surgery to repair a meniscus tear on Wednesday, and the recovery will keep the QB sidelined for the 2024 season.
The #Vikings have signed QB Matt Corral and placed QB J.J. McCarthy on IR. pic.twitter.com/FgYh4Q4rxs
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 16, 2024
Corral in the NFL
Corral was drafted by the Carolina Panthers with the 94th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. After a brief stint in Carolina, coaching and front-office changes saw Corral get traded to the New England Patriots where he did not play.
Birmingham Stallions
Corral ultimately was signed by the Birmingham Stallions this past season where he excelled as he shared time with Adrian Martinez at QB. In the USFL Conference Championship Game, Corral came off the bench in an 18-18 tie with the Michigan Panthers and threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes as the Stallions advanced to the UFL Championship Game with a 31-18 victory.
Corral and the Stallions are reigning UFL National Champions after defeating San Antonio, 25-0.
Ole Miss Career
Corral was not only one of the most popular Rebels to ever take the field at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, he was one of the best to ever do it. He finished his career at Ole Miss with 8,287 passing yards, 57 passing touchdowns, 1,338 rushing yards, and 18 rushing touchdowns. He single-handedly willed Ole Miss to victory on multiple occasions.
Ole Miss Recognition
Corral’s list of accomplishments while a Rebel is a lengthy one:
• 2021 Conerly Trophy Winner
• 2021 Manning Award Finalist
• 2021 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Finalist
• 2021 Maxwell Award Semifinalist
• 2021 Davey O’Brien Award Semifinalist
• 2021 Walter Camp Player of the Year Semifinalist
• 2021 Preseason All-American Third Team (Phil Steele)
• 2021 Preseason All-SEC First Team (Media, PFF, Phil Steele, Athlon)
• 2020 All-SEC Third Team (Pro Football Focus)
• 2020 All-SEC Fourth Team (Phil Steele)
• 2020 Manning Award Finalist
• 2020 Davey O’Brien Award Semifinalist
• 2020 Maxwell Award Watch List
• 2020 CFPA National Performer of the Year Trophy Watch List
Best of luck to Matt!
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.
