Former Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral signs with Minnesota Vikings
After a stellar career with the Ole Miss Rebels, Matt Corral was taken by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. But, injuries and a coaching change sent him to the United Football League where he was under center for the Birmingham Stallions.
Now, he is back in the NFL. On Friday, the Minnesota Vikings announced it was signing Corral and placing 10th overall pick JJ McCarthy on injured reserve. McCarthy just underwent surgery to repair his meniscus. Corral joins Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall in Minnesota’s quarterback room.
The former Ole Miss quarterback suffered a Lisfranc injury in a preseason game, shelving him for his entire rookie season. He would later be waived in August 2023 before signing with the New England Patriots the very next day. But, his stint in New England was short lived as he took some time away from football and was released the next month.
Matt Corral was Lane Kiffin’s first quarterback at Ole Miss.
He started every game of the COVID-shortened 2020 season and flashed all season long in Kiffin’s offense. Corral threw for 3,337 yards with 29 touchdowns and led the Rebels to a 26-20 win over Indiana in the Outback Bowl.
The next season, Corral and Kiffin were masterful together. For most of the 2021 season, Corral was in the Heisman Trophy conversation. He threw for 3,963 passing yards and 20 touchdowns to just four interceptions. Corral would declare for the NFL Draft before suffering a leg injury in the 2022 Sugar Bowl versus Baylor. He finished seventh in Heisman Trophy voting in 2021.
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In total, he threw for 8,287 yards and 57 touchdowns during his career in Oxford, Miss. He also ran for 1,338 and 18 touchdowns. Corral is third all-time in Ole Miss history in total offense (9,619 yards), third all-time in single season passing yards (3,963 yards), second all-time in passing yards in a single game (533 yards) and third all-time in touchdowns responsible for (75).
Most recently, Corral played for the UFL’s 2024 champion Stallions. He went 3-0 and threw for 494 yards and two touchdowns.
In high school, Corral threw for 2,495 yards and 29 touchdowns at Long Beach Poly (Calif.) as a senior. He accounted for over 11,000 yards and 123 touchdowns as a four-year starter for Poly and at Oaks Christian (Calif.) prior to transferring.
