All-time Ole Miss great Matt Corral signs with USFL-XFL’s Birmingham Stallions

Ben Garrettby:Ben Garrett•02/13/24•

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Matt Corral, one of the greatest quarterbacks in Ole Miss history, is making his return to the football field.

Corral, who last played for the NFL’s New England Patriots, has signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL-XFL. The Stallions open their 10-game spring season March 30 at the Arlington Renegades. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CT on FOX. 

Birmingham is one of four USFL teams to survive the league’s off-season merger with the XFL. The Stallions have dominated for two years since the USFL re-emerged in 2022. They’ve won a combined 21 of their 24 games, including the postseason, and won back-to-back USFL championships.

Corral could take over for Alex McGough, the USFL MVP last season. McGough signed with the Green Packers in August after completing 67.4 percent of his passes for 2,104 yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Corral is a former third-round selection (No. 94 overall) of the Carolina Panthers in 2022. His career was derailed from the start, however, after 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.”

RELATED: Matt Corral wasn’t the first QB taken in the NFL Draft. An Ole Miss teammate has some thoughts.

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, who are bringing in a quarterback inarguably in the conversation for the best to ever come through Ole Miss. The same Ole Miss that produced Eli Manning — a former No. 1 overall pick of the New York Giants and two-time Super Bowl winner and MVP. 

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, his final season in Oxford, when he led the Rebels to their first 10-win regular season. The Rebels matched the feat in 2023-24.

Corral won the Conerly Trophy, awarded each year to Mississippi’s best college player, and was a finalist for the Maxwell and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Awards.

“We truly have a one-of-a-kind program at Ole Miss,” Corral said upon leaving Ole Miss. “I have so much appreciation for Rebel Nation. The love and support I’ve received from fans, faculty, administration and staff in my (Rebel career) has been remarkable. 

“Oxford will always be a second home to me.”

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