Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin responded to Carolina Panthers quarterback Matt Corral’s claims about the lack of competition within the program.
Matt Corral’s statement about taking the easy way out at Ole Miss sent tongues racing in the college football world. The Carolina Panthers quarterback’s claims that there was a better chance of him making an immediate impact with the Rebels than anywhere else swayed his decision to commit to the program, which was seen as a slight by many as he prepares to embark on his professional journey.
Corral was a three-year starter in college and also turned out four times as a freshman. This obviously came with some memorable moments and played a significant role in the signal-caller going No. 94 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft after the Panthers traded up to secure his services.
Things will not be nearly as easy in the pros. Corral is taking a back seat as Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield battle it out for the starting job, but Carolina is confident that their recent draft pick can emerge as the team’s long-term option under center providing there are no complications with his development.
One could mistake Corral’s comments as regretful on all fronts.
Competition right out of the gate might have aided his development in the long run. But looking back with such feelings would not be wise for a player with such an opportunity awaiting them.
Lane Kiffin has already cleared the air with Matt Corral
As it so happened, current Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin recently appeared on ESPN’s debate show First Take, where the topic surrounding Corral’s comments came up.
The guest revealed that there had already been a conversation between the two once the story became bigger than the signal-caller probably anticipated. Some advice was even offered from someone who’s been around the block more than once.
"“I wasn’t here when Matt got here so as far as the competition he was in, I wasn’t here. Matt immediately texted me after that to say that’s not what he meant by it. He actually was in a competition here, so he’s a rookie in the NFL. He’s not going to say everything right. He’s not going to throw everything right, especially in the first year. I’m sure he’d take that back. We’re in the time where there isn’t much time going on in the media, so like I told him, this will run for 48 hours and nobody will even remember it.”"
Chalk this down to a learning experience for Corral.
Reporters are always looking for the slightest soundbite – especially at this time of year – so the first-year-pro should be wary about what he says in front of the media moving forward.
Corral should be focusing on football and nothing else right now. He’s made a strong start to training camp and has the mindset to win a starting position at the earliest possible opportunity, which should serve him extremely well when the time comes.
He might regret going to Ole Miss. But this provided Corral with an abundance of big-game experience in the SEC, which is considered the gold standard of college football.
If this time on the field sets him up well with the Panthers, then neither Corral nor the program will be complaining all that much.