It’s been a little over two weeks since Matt Corral signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL), and the former Ole Miss signal-caller is already making his presence behind center known.
When speaking to the media last week, Birmingham head coach Skip Holtz discussed the team’s crowded quarterback room and how he’s been impressed with the play of both Corral and former Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez.
“I’ve really been pleased with the way both Adrian and Matt have picked it up with the way they are learning [the system],” Holtz said. “Two great people, two extremely talented quarterbacks both with their arms and their legs, quick feet. They both have dual-threat capabilities where they can utilize their feet.”
Fitting right in 😏@corral_matt | #GiddyUp🐎 pic.twitter.com/ZMomIjNAoG
— B2B CHAMPIONSTALLIONS 🏆🏆 (@USFLStallions) March 2, 2024
While neither Corral nor Martinez are expected to start going into the season with veterans J’Mar Smith and Jalen Morton leading the quarterback competition, both could see playing time as the Stallions look to three-peat as champions. Birmingham won the United States Football League championship in both 2022 and 2023 before this offseason’s XFL-USFL merger.
Corral joined Holtz’s squad after beginning his professional career with the Carolina Panthers. Missing his entire rookie year with a foot injury, Corral ended up being cut going into last season. He was then picked up by the New England Patriots, where he and the franchise’s on-and-off relationship ended with him reportedly not showing up to practices due to struggles with mental health.
“I had some great conversations with Matt before we ever signed as we were in the recruiting process of free agency and we were on the phone and we were visiting,” Holtz said, providing insight into what went into signing Corral. “One of the questions I wanted answered: What’s the commitment level here? Why did things happen in the past the way they happened and what’s going to change moving forward? Why are we not going to be in that situation again? And I was very comfortable visiting with Matt with all the things that he was facing during that time and why he made the decision that he did and how motivated he is to come back and have this opportunity again.”
Corral played in Oxford from 2018-2021, solidifying himself as one of the best quarterbacks in program history with 9,620 total yards and 75 touchdowns. The former Reb will return to a professional field when the Stallions begin their season against the defending XFL champion Arlington Renegades on March 30.
The full Birmingham Stallions 2024 schedule can be found here.
