Matt Corral states his intentions with Carolina Panthers following 2022 NFL Draft
Selecting Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral with the No. 94 overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers are setting up a quarterback battle for the 2022 season. However, they still have former New York Jet Sam Darnold, who has received some votes of confidence this offseason from the Panthers staff.
Reporters asked the newest Panthers quarterback his intentions for year one and how he plans to approach his first NFL quarterback battle.
“My approach is just to be the best I can be each and every day, get one percent better every day,” Corral said. “My competitive nature is obviously going to want me to be the starter and I’m going to do everything in my power to do that, I’m just going to put my best foot forward and again, just let God take control.”
The Panthers traded the No. 137 overall pick and a future third-rounder to the New England Patriots for the No. 94 pick.
Corral was a former four-star recruit according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average. Corral was fifth amongst quarterbacks in the 2018 recruiting class.
In 2020, Corral had his breakout season and led the FBS in total offense with 384.3 yards per game. He ranked top-ten in passing efficiency, touchdowns and yards in his 10 starts — and was a Manning Award finalist. In their Outback Bowl win over Indiana, Corral threw for 342 yards and two touchdowns. His final season saw him finish seventh in Heisman Trophy voting in a season. He threw for 3,349 yards and 20 touchdowns with just five interceptions — as well as rushing for another 11 touchdowns.
Corral reacts to draft slide
Reporters asked if Corral was surprised as he watched his name, and every other quarterback other than Kenny Pickett, slide down the board during the draft.
“You know, it is definitely an emotional roller coaster for sure,” Corral admitted. “But you just gotta control what you control. And I felt like I put my best foot forward and you just gotta let go and let God take control.”
Following their selection, general manager Scott Fitterer and head coach Matt Rhule discussed their new dual-threat weapon.
“One of the things that really stood out, aside from the physical traits, was the competitiveness and toughness of him. The guy took a pounding—kept getting up, kept getting up,” Fitterer said. “And when it just comes to the physical traits—the quick release, the mobility, the ability to get out and run, throw on the run. He sees the field well. He processes quickly. So all those things really stood out to us.”
On3’s Austin Brezina contributed to this report.