Ole Miss QB Plumlee makes name for himself with big effort against No. 1 LSU

LSU improved to a perfect 10-0 Saturday evening with a 58-37 win over rival Ole Miss. To those in attendance and millions others watching, it almost could have been considered a nail biter in the second half. The sole reason? Ole Miss freshman quarterback John Rhys Plumlee.

Before Saturday’s matchup, most LSU and college football fans wondered, “Who is John Rhys Plumlee?” He’s a dynamic talent who people are learning about quickly.

Following a stellar career at Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg where as a senior, he threw for 2,834 yards with 33 touchdowns and only three interceptions. The dual threat added 1,444 yards on the ground with 19 scores.

Plumlee was no sleeper recruit, offered by Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Auburn, Notre Dame, Tulane, Southern Miss, Florida State, Nebraska, Miami and ULM. He initially committed to Georgia where he was offered a “grayshirt” opportunity, which would cause him to walk-on before being added to the 2020 class.

Tulane was one of a handful of schools who offered Plumlee the chance to play both football and baseball. More on his baseball career later.

Two days prior to the ’19 signing day, he flipped to Ole Miss. Plumlee holds very strong Christian beliefs and followed his heart. Most schools, including Ole Miss, considered him a slot receiver, although he maintained throughout he was a college quarterback. As a Jack of all trades at Oak Grove, he also punted and returned kicks.

An extremely hard worker, he also excels on the baseball diamond where as a star center fielder. Plumlee batted .455 as a junior in high school and is an adept base stealer. He plans to play baseball for the Rebels.

The thing that sets Plumlee apart is his blazing speed. He has been timed 4.39 in the 40-yard dash.

His eye opening performance against LSU achieved a number of marks. He etched his name in Ole Miss lore with the 10th best single game rushing mark in school history with 212 yards and his four rushing touchdowns are the most ever in a single contest by an Ole Miss quarterback. He is also the first quarterback since Vince Young to run for 200 yards against the top ranked team in the country.

Only a part-time starter this year, Plumlee is still the SEC’s fourth leading rusher with 989 yards, one spot ahead of LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Plumlee averages 7.3 yards per carry.

Edwards-Helaire has 12 scores but Plumlee now has 11 on the ground. The latter’s efforts have lifted the Rebels third in the league in total offense behind only LSU and Alabama. Ole Miss tops the SEC in rushing, averaging 261.4 yards per contest.

Comparisons to Johnny Manziel at this time seem appropriate. It remains to be seen if that comes to fruition since Plumlee needs to improve as a passer. But it should be noted Manziel had the benefit of a redshirt season with Texas A&M while Plumlee is holding his own as a true freshman.

One thing is certain – SEC opponents know who he is now. They will have to figure out a way to handle John Rhys Plumlee for the next three seasons.