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WATCH: Sugar Bowl crowd reacts to Matt Corral's return from the locker room on crutches

Wade-Peeryby: Wade Peery01/02/22

Ole Miss’ dynamic dual-threat quarterback Matt Corral severely injured his ankle in the first quarter of the Allstate Sugar Bowl against Baylor. The ultra-talented signal-caller had to spend some time in the locker room with medical staff, getting his ankle examined. When he returned from the locker room, he was seen on crutches, and the fans in attendance gave him a standing ovation.

Check it out.

Simply put, it’s refreshing to see fans recognize his greatness and what he put at risk in playing in the Sugar Bowl. Before the game, Corral was a lock to be one of the top quarterbacks selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. He made sure he let his teammates and the fans know that he was playing in the bowl game, no matter what.

Matt Corral out of Sugar Bowl

“I’ve just been told that Matt Corral is doubtful to return,” said ESPN’s Katie George after Corral was carted off the field. “And they’re not just missing his on-field production. They’re missing his presence over here on the sidelines. Every time a mistake happens Corral is the guy bringing guys together, huddling them up, pulling someone off to the side one-on-one, hyping them. He’s the voice that everybody listens to, he’s the guy that everybody turns to and right now, they’re missing that presence.”

During the second quarter, Corral’s examination was finished and it was made apparent that he would not be returning to the Sugar Bowl. Katie George gave an update to everyone about what happened once Corral returned to the Ole Miss sideline.

“Well as he got into the box guys on those crutches, he’s players, coaches started coming over to give him a hug. And he’s visibly emotional right now, realizing what’s come to an end for him,” stated George.

NFL Draft stock for the Ole Miss signal-caller

Before the 2021 college football season, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin made a prediction that his signal-caller would be selected as a top ten pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

“He was throwing it 70 yards with accuracy, and he’s not a huge guy [6-foot-2, 205 pounds],” Kiffin said before the season. “But his whole upper body is loose, really loose. When he does our flexibility test where he puts his arms back, it’s amazing how far back he can go. He’s also a very good quarterback scrambler. He’s not going to be the fastest guy at the [NFL] combine, but he’s got really good feet and is slippery once he starts running.”

Kiffin wasn’t wrong. His prized pupil cemented his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats. Even after the injury, he’ll still likely be a top 10 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.

On3’s Austin Brezina also contributed to this report.