Yeah, yeah – I know. The 2021 season hasn’t even started and you’re already talking about the 2022 NFL Draft? Really, Stoney? Yeah. I am. Here’s why: I recently wrote about the state of the quarterback position in the SEC as apart of our ‘2021 preview’ content plan. I named Ole Miss starting quarterback Matt Corral as the best in the conference. I thought to myself, “hmmm….if he’s the best in the SEC, I wonder where that slots him among the overall quarterback class for 2022…” So, I started doing my homework, looking at mock drafts, projections, the whole nine yards, and what have you. I was a tad surprised to see that a lot of analysts have Corral listed as a fringe first rounder behind four or five other guys.
I get the issue with the turnovers. I get that some people think he’s just the beneficiary of an insane Lane Kiffin offensive system. But, how can you completely ignore the production? Corral led the NCAA in total offensive production, averaging 384.9 yards per game. He was top 10 in virtually every passing category that matters – 333.7 passing yards per game, 29 touchdown passes, and a 70.9% completion percentage. Plus, just look at the raw talent. Corral has the arm to push the ball down field, but the way he executes throws with touch and precision should have NFL scouts salivating. He’s also an elusive guy that can move around and make people miss in the pocket. Bottom line: Corral is a play-maker, and the NFL is all about finding play-making quarterbacks these days. He made some really bad decisions in 2020 that led to all of those giveaways, and man…they came in bunches. At times, it looked like he was forcing throws or not identifying defenders properly. I’d say those are the biggest things he needs to clean up, but if he can, he has the talent to sneak into the top 10 of next year’s NFL Draft.
But, this quarterback class is loaded. Oklahoma’s Spencer Rattler seems to be the consensus favorite to be the top overall pick. For good reason – Rattler has incredible arm talent, can make every throw in the book, and is aware and shifty in the pocket. He’s everything you’d look for in an athletic, modern day pro-style quarterback. Behind him, you’ll usually find some order of Malik Willis (Liberty), Sam Howell (North Carolina), Kedon Slovis (USC), and Carson Strong (Nevada) before you get to Corral. But, I don’t think Corral’s skillset is too far behind any of these guys – his arm isn’t much weaker than Howell’s or Strong’s. He’s certainly not as dynamic as Willis, but possesses respectable escapability. He’s accurate, as is Slovis. I really think it comes down to the turnovers, and that’s something Corral can correct.
It’ll take another monstrous statistical season, but if Corral can clean up the mental errors and rein in those interceptions, he absolutely could sneak into the QB3 of next spring’s draft. I’d still put him behind Howell and Rattler for now, but who knows? Maybe those guys slip a bit and Corral climbs to the top. I’m just saying – another big season for the Ole Miss signal caller, and he could be due for a meteoric rise up draft boards come draft season.
If you’re starving for more in-depth coverage of Corral and the Ole Miss program as a whole, check out Steven McCash’s knockout preview of the 2021 Ole Miss Rebels here.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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