Ole Miss QB Matt Corral wins 2021 Conerly Trophy
Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral was named the winner of the 2021 Conerly Trophy on Thursday, an award handed out each year to the top college football player in Mississippi.
Corral beat out Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers and eight other finalists to win the award for the first time in his career. He’s the second straight winner from Ole Miss. Elijah Moore won the trophy last season.
Corral threw for 3,339 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2021. He also rushed for 597 yards and 11 touchdowns.
“I couldn’t be here without my teammates and the support of my coaches, particularly coach (Lane) Kiffin and coach (Jeff) Lebby,” Corral said during his acceptance speech. “Without those guys I definitely wouldn’t be able to be in the same spot that I’m in right now. I’m honored and humbled to receive this award and represent Rebel Nation and this state, Mississippi.”
Corral, a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, is the only FBS player to have over 3,000 passing yards and 500 rushing yards this season.
As per usual tradition, the winner of the Conerly Trophy typically represents the winning team from the Egg Bowl in recent years.
In the battle between Corral and Rogers, the Rebel signal-caller outperformed his counterpart. Corral threw for 234 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 45 yards and a touchdown in a 31-21 win in Starkville.
The other finalists were Brad Foley of Belhaven; Caleb Johnson of Mississippi Valley State; Jonathan Jones of Mississippi College; Shadeur Sanders of Jackson State; Malik Shorts of Southern Mississippi; Juwan Taylor of Alcorn State; Marvin Terry of Delta State; and Moïse Tezzo of Millsaps College.
Ole Miss was ranked No. 8 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings on Tuesday.
The Rebels await their New Year’s Six bowl destination. Corral said after the Egg Bowl that he intends to see his final season through and play in the postseason game.
CONERLY TROPHY WINNERS
2021 – Matt Corral, QB – Ole Miss
2020 – Elijah Moore, WR – Ole Miss
2019 – Kylin Hill, RB – Mississippi State
2018 – Jeffery Simmons, DL – Mississippi State
2017 – A.J. Brown, WR – Ole Miss
2016 – Evan Engram, TE – Ole Miss
2015 – Dak Prescott, QB – Mississippi State
2014 – Dak Prescott, QB – Mississippi State
2013 – Gabe Jackson, OL – Mississippi State
2012 – Bo Wallace, QB – Ole Miss
2011 – Austin Davis, QB – Southern Miss
2010 – Chris White, LB – Mississippi State
2009 – Anthony Dixon, RB – Mississippi State
2008 – Juan Joseph, QB – Millsaps
2007 – Damion Fletcher, RB – Southern Miss
2006 – Patrick Willis, LB – Ole Miss
2005 – Jerious Norwood, RB – Mississippi State
2004 – Michael Boley, LB – Southern Miss
2003 – Eli Manning, QB – Ole Miss
2002 – Rod Davis, LB – Southern Miss
2001 – Eli Manning, QB – Ole Miss
2000 – Josh Bright, QB – Delta State
1999 – Deuce McAllister, RB – Ole Miss
1998 – J.J. Johnson, RB – Mississippi State
1997 – Stewart Patridge, QB – Ole Miss
1996 – Tregnel Thomas, RB – Delta State
