Former Ole Miss Rebel Matt Corral Named Birmingham Stallions' QB1

The Birmingham Stallions will open the inaugural UFL season on Saturday with former Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Matt Corral starting under center.

Jan 1, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Matt Corral (2) attempts a pass / John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

OXFORD, Miss. – It feels like fall football is a million miles away, but fortunately, the newly rebranded United Football League begins its 2024 season on Saturday, and former Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Matt Corral will be making his spring football debut the same day with the Birmingham Stallions.

The Stallions revealed via social media on Thursday night that Corral had been named their starting quarterback after the former Rebel signed with Birmingham in February. This will be Corral’s second chance at a career in professional football after the Ventura, Calif., was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Corral’s NFL career never got any legs due to injury, however, as he was waived by Carolina a year after being drafted. The New England Patriots claimed Corral off waivers, but he was released in September of 2023.

Corral was Lane Kiffin’s first quarterback at Ole Miss, and from 2020-21, he led the Rebels to a 15-8 overall record, including a trip to the 2022 Sugar Bowl. In four years at Ole Miss, Corral threw for 8,287 yards and 57 touchdowns, while also totaling 1,338 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns on 334 carries.

Corral will now lead the Stallions in the inaugural season of the UFL. Birmingham is the reigning United States Football League (USFL) champion and will be taking on the Arlington Renegades, the reigning XFL champions, on Saturday in the UFL season opener. Kickoff is set for noon CT and the game can be found on ESPN/ESPN+.