Matt Corral

Matt Corral's Biography

Matthew Anthony Corral, the celebrated American professional footballer, was born on January 31, 1999, in Ventura, California. His rich Mexican heritage underlines an illustrious career that has seen him play as a quarterback for the Ole Miss Rebels in college football, to his present status as a free agent in the National Football League (NFL).

Born and raised in Ventura, California, Corral’s early life immersed him in a unique blend of Mexican and American cultures. After starting his education at Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, he later transferred to Long Beach Polytechnic High School. Corral has publicly cited economic disparities and a physical altercation as contributing factors to his decision to switch schools.

Corral’s star shone brightly during his time at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, where he amassed over 11,000 career yards with 123 touchdowns. His performance during this period was so remarkable that he got the opportunity to play in the prestigious 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. After considering offers from the University of Southern California and the University of Florida, Corral eventually committed to Ole Miss.

At Ole Miss, Corral began his college football career in 2018 as Jordan Ta’amu’s backup. Even though he only participated in four games that year, he managed to complete 16 of 22 passes for a total of 239 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception. Because of his limited role, he was redshirted that season.

However, the following year, 2019, saw Corral stepping up his game, earning the title of starting quarterback for the season. He managed to complete 16 of 24 passes amounting to 246 yards in a week 2 matchup against Arkansas. This performance, which led to a respectable 31-17 victory, helped establish Corral as a rising star. Despite intriguing performances throughout the season, the overall team output was disappointing with a 4-8 record.

Life at Ole Miss took an optimistic turn in 2020, with the appointment of Lane Kiffin as the new head coach and Jeff Lebby as the offensive coordinator. Corral, playing under their guidance, started in all games of the shortened 2020 season, showing significant improvement from his performance in 2019 and leading the team to a memorable victory at the 2021 Outback Bowl. His success continued in 2021 when he tied the school record for touchdowns in a single game in a decisive victory against the Tulane Green Wave.

Corral bid goodbye to his stellar career at Ole Miss after leading the team to a 10-2 record and a Sugar Bowl appearance. He declared for the NFL draft and was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the third round. The start of his professional journey was hampered by a leg injury. Upon recovery, he was selected by the Panthers again but was later waived after an accident during a pre-season match against the New England Patriots.

After being waived by the Panthers, Corral was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots in 2023. However, he left the team unexpectedly, which led to him being placed on the exempt/left squad list. He briefly joined their practice squad but did not continue there for long. Later, he signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL) in 2024.

He didn’t remain at the UFL for long as his contract was terminated to allow him to sign with an NFL team. Shortly thereafter, the Minnesota Vikings signed him to replace their injured first-round pick, J.J. McCarthy. However, his time with the Vikings was short-lived, and he was released ten days after his signing. Now, as a free agent, Corral is expected to bring his experience and leadership to whichever team claims him next.