On Friday, the Minnesota Vikings signed Matt Corral, a former standout from Ole Miss, to fill the quarterback position left open by JJ McCarthy’s placement on injured reserve.
Corral played for the Rebels from 2018 to 2021 and was drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. He was waived by Carolina the following year, after which he joined the New England Patriots. In the 2024 UFL season, he played for the Birmingham Stallions, primarily as a backup to Adrian Martinez, but he did step in during the playoffs to help the team in a critical moment.
It’s still unclear whether the Vikings see Corral as a backup to round out training camp or as a genuine contender for a spot on the roster. With McCarthy out for the season, Sam Darnold, Minnesota’s first-round pick from Michigan, is expected to lead the Vikings’ offense. The team also has Jaren Hall and former Southern Miss standout Nick Mullens on their quarterback roster.
Corral played a key role in coach Lane Kiffin’s revival of the Ole Miss football program, amassing 8,287 passing yards and 57 touchdowns during his tenure with the Rebels, in addition to 1,338 rushing yards and 18 more touchdowns. His efforts contributed to Ole Miss achieving a 10-win season in 2021, culminating in a Sugar Bowl appearance against Baylor.
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