All-time Ole Miss great Matt Corral named starting QB for UFL’s Birmingham Stallions
Matt Corral signed last month with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League.
He was named their starting quarterback on Thursday and in advance of kick-off of the league’s 2024 season.
Corral is one of the greatest quarterbacks in Ole Miss football history and last played for the NFL’s New England Patriots. The Stallions open their 10-game spring season Saturday at the Arlington Renegades at 12 p.m. CT on FOX.
The Stallions made the announcement on social media.
“Whenever he gets that opportunity, he’s going to be that franchise quarterback for a long time,” Ole Miss offensive lineman Jeremy James previously said of Corral, in an exclusive interview with the Ole Miss Spirit.
James served as Corral’s starting right tackle for two Rebel seasons.
“I truly believe it. Knowing that he’s there gives an entire offense that confidence to know, ‘All right, we’re good. Something special is going to happen.’”
The @corral_matt era starts NOW🔥 pic.twitter.com/s5Nsxi6PI9
— B2B CHAMPIONSTALLIONS 🏆🏆 (@USFLStallions) March 29, 2024
Birmingham is one of four USFL teams to survive the league’s off-season merger with the XFL to become the UFL.
The Stallions dominated for two years following the USFL’s re-emergence in 2022. They won a combined 21 of their 24 games (postseason included) and back-to-back USFL championships.
Corral takes take over for Alex McGough, a former USFL MVP.
Corral was Lane Kiffin’s first quarterback at Ole Miss and drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the third round (No. 94 overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft.
However, his career was derailed all but from the start. Corral suffered a season-ending Lisfranc injury in the preseason. The Panthers drafted Alabama’s Bryce Young No. 1 overall the following year.
“I would definitely say my patience for myself and being able to have that perspective,” Corral said last May, when asked what he most learned about himself over his tumultuous first professional season.
“It’s hard. You go to college, running the show, and now there’s a bit of a learning curve. You get hurt last year and, again, uncontrollable, and then we get a new coach (and) a new staff. Rolling with the punches, controlling what I can control.”
Corral was waived, and later traded, to the Patriots.
He ultimately ended up cut and out of the league.
But he’ll get another chance to revive his professional career with the Stallions. Corral finished his Ole Miss career with 8,287 passing yards and 57 passing touchdowns. He totaled 1,338 yards and 18 additional scores on the ground.
Corral was a multi-time All-SEC selection, as well as an All-American as a junior, which was his final season in Oxford. He led the Rebels to their first 10-win regular season that year and either won or was a finalist for the Conerly Trophy and the Maxwell and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Awards.
Corral is one of two former Rebel quarterbacks starting for UFL teams. The other is Jordan Ta’amu (D.C. Defenders). Other UFL Rebels include linebacker Demarquis Gates (Stallions), defensive end Breeland Speaks (Michigan Panthers) and wide receiver Jahcour Pearson (St. Louis Battlehawks).
