John Rhys Plumlee
{{Short description|American football and baseball player (born 2001)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = John Rhys Plumlee
| image = John Rhys Plumlee (cropped).jpg
| caption = Plumlee with the Ole Miss Rebels in 2019
| current_team = Seattle Seahawks
| number = 17
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|1|2}}
| birth_place = Hattiesburg, Mississippi, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in =
| weight_lb = 200
| high_school = Oak Grove
(Hattiesburg, Mississippi)
| college = Ole Miss (2019–2021)
UCF (2022–2023)
| undraftedyear = 2024
| pastteams = * Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2024}})*
- Jacksonville Jaguars ({{NFL Year|2024}})*
- Seattle Seahawks ({{NFL Year|2024}}–present)
| status = Active
| pfr = PlumJo00
}}
John Rhys Plumlee (born January 2, 2001) is an American professional football utility player, having been designated as both a quarterback and wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels and the UCF Knights as well as playing center fielder for both of their college baseball teams.
Early life
John Rhys (pronounced "Rice") Plumlee was born to Denton and Lori Plumlee on January 2, 2001, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where he grew up and attended Oak Grove High School, and he played both baseball and football. His older sister, Rhyan, and younger sister, Reese, were both standouts on the Oak Grove High School volleyball team.{{Cite web |last=Kemp |first=Jacob |date=August 17, 2017 |title=Oak Grove quarterback John Rhys Plumlee shows talent on and off the field |url=https://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2017/08/17/oak-grove-quarterback-john-rhys-plumlee-shows-talent-and-off-field/553573001/ |access-date=April 11, 2020 |website=Hattiesburg American}} He became the Warriors' starting quarterback as a sophomore. As a junior, he passed for 1,759 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions and rushed for 599 yards and eight touchdowns in nine games and was named to the "Dandy Dozen" by The Clarion-Ledger.{{Cite web |last=Bean |first=Josh |date=February 10, 2018 |title=Alabama and Auburn pursue 2019 Mississippi HS quarterback |url=https://www.al.com/sports/2018/02/alabama_and_auburn_pursue_miss.html |access-date=April 11, 2020 |website=AL.com}}{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Wilson |date=July 26, 2018 |title=Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen: Oak Grove's John Rhys Plumlee |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/high-school/2018/07/26/clarion-ledger-dandy-dozen-oak-groves-john-rhys-plumlee-football-baseball-recruiting-georgia/815855002/ |access-date=April 11, 2020 |website=The Clarion-Ledger}} In baseball, he batted .442 with 35 RBIs and 38 runs scored in 27 games.{{Cite web |last=Gabriel |first=Parker |date=May 4, 2018 |title=Husker QB target Plumlee plays two sports and has many options |url=https://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/football/husker-qb-target-plumlee-plays-two-sports-and-has-many/article_6983b955-1884-5616-81ac-f088eacfe2eb.html |access-date=April 11, 2020 |website=Lincoln Journal Star}} Rated a four star recruit, Plumlee initially committed to play college football at Georgia during the summer. By the end of his senior year, he had 16 offers from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Nebraska, and Notre Dame.{{Cite web |last=Paschall |first=David |date=June 15, 2018 |title=Four-star quarterback John Rhys Plumlee commits to Georgia |url=https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/breakingnews/story/2018/jun/15/four-star-quarterback-john-rhys-plumlee-commi/473246/ |access-date=April 11, 2020 |website=Chattanooga Times Free Press}}{{Cite web |last=Newport |first=Kyle |date=June 15, 2018 |title=4-Star QB Prospect John Rhys Plumlee Commits to Georgia over Auburn, UNC, More |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2781372-4-star-qb-prospect-john-rhys-plumlee-commits-to-georgia-over-auburn-unc-more |access-date=April 11, 2020 |website=Bleacher Report}}{{Cite web |last=Weiszer |first=Marc |date=June 18, 2018 |title=Georgia Bulldogs find 'their guy' with 2019 QB commitment John Rhys Plumlee |url=https://www.savannahnow.com/sports/20180618/georgia-bulldogs-find-their-guy-with-2019-qb-commitment-john-rhys-plumlee |access-date=April 11, 2020 |website=Savannah Morning News}}
As a senior, Plumlee completed 187-of-291 passes (64.3 percent) for 2,834 yards with 33 touchdown passes and three interceptions while also rushing for 1,444 yards and 19 touchdowns on 162 carries (8.9 yards per carry) and led the team to a Southern State championship before losing to Horn Lake High School.{{Cite web |last=Doherty |first=Tim |date=December 9, 2018 |title=Oak Grove's Plumlee chosen WDAM's POY |url=https://www.wdam.com/2018/12/10/oak-groves-plumlee-chosen-wdams-poy/ |access-date=April 11, 2020 |website=WDAM.com}} He finished his high school career with 5,430 passing yards, 2,314 rushing yards and 82 total touchdowns in three seasons.{{Cite web |last=Petro |first=Camal |date=February 7, 2019 |title=Plumlee's roller coaster recruitment ends with an Ole Miss signing |url=https://www.hubcityspokes.com/sports-slideshow-sports-oak-grove-warriors/plumlee%E2%80%99s-rollercoaster-recruitment-ends-ole-miss-signing |access-date=April 11, 2020 |website=The Pine Belt News }}{{Dead link|date=November 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} After the season, Plumlee de-committed from Georgia shortly before National Signing Day in order to accept as scholarship to play both football and baseball at Ole Miss.{{Cite web |last=VanHaaren |first=Tom |date=February 5, 2019 |title=QB recruit John Rhys Plumlee flips from Georgia to Ole Miss |url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/football/story/_/id/25928008/qb-john-rhys-plumlee-flips-commitment-georgia-ole-miss |access-date=April 11, 2020 |website=ESPN.com}} Plumlee batted .411 with 39 hits, 45 runs scored, seven doubles, five triples, two home runs and 24 RBI in 29 games and was named 2019 5A/6A All-State in his final baseball season at Oak Grove.{{Cite web |last=Garrett |first=Ben |date=December 31, 2019 |title=Plumlee, Ealy good to go for baseball after Bianco, Kiffin meet |url=https://247sports.com/college/ole-miss/Article/Plumlee-Ealy-good-to-go-for-baseball-after-Bianco-Kiffin-meet-141370521/ |access-date=April 11, 2020 |website=247Sports.com}}
College career
=College football=
==Ole Miss==
Plumlee began his true freshman season in 2019 as the Rebels' backup quarterback. He made his collegiate debut against the California Golden Bears after an injury to starter Matt Corral, completing all seven of his passes for 82 yards and rushing three times for 53 yards as he led the team to a near-comeback win before being stopped at California's one-yard line as time expired.{{Cite web |last=Suss |first=Nick |date=September 28, 2019 |title=John Rhys Plumlee: 5 things to know about Ole Miss' freshman quarterback |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/ole-miss/2019/09/28/john-rhys-plumlee-ole-miss-quarterback-matt-corral-injury-ole-miss-vs-alabama-2019/3786998002/ |access-date=April 11, 2020 |website=The Clarion Ledger}} Plumlee made his first career start the following week on September 28, 2019, against the Alabama Crimson Tide, completing 35.7 percent of his passes for 141 yards with two touchdowns and one interception and also rushing 109 yards and one touchdown in a 59–31 loss.{{Cite web |date=September 30, 2019 |title=Ole Miss coach says freshman QB John Rhys Plumlee has earned more playing time |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/27739167/ole-miss-coach-says-freshman-qb-john-rhys-plumlee-earned-more-playing |access-date=April 11, 2020 |website=ESPN.com |publisher=Associated Press}} He was named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Freshman of the Week after rushing for 165 yards and a touchdown with 99 passing yards against the Vanderbilt Commodores on October 5.{{Cite web |last=Scherer |first=Andrew |date=October 8, 2019 |title=OLE MISS QB NAMED 'SEC FRESHMAN PLAYER OF THE WEEK' |url=https://www.wxxv25.com/2019/10/08/ole-miss-qb-named-sec-freshman-player-week/ |access-date=April 11, 2020 |website=WXXV25.com}} On November 10 against the New Mexico State Aggies, Plumlee broke the freshman rushing yards and rushing touchdown record with 177 yards on the ground and two touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Myers |first=Jon |date=November 10, 2019 |title=Plumlee sets freshman rushing records |url=https://socialsportsms.com/2019/11/10/plumlee-sets-rushing-record-as-ole-miss-trounces-new-mexico-state/ |access-date=May 9, 2020 |website=Mississippi Sports Network}} Plumlee finished the season with 910 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions on 79-for-150 passing (52.7 percent) while rushing 154 times for 1,023 yards and 12 touchdowns. He set Ole Miss records for rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns by a freshman and the most rushing yards in a season by a quarterback.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=David |date=November 28, 2019 |title=Closer look at John Rhys Plumlee's record-breaking season |url=https://247sports.com/college/ole-miss/Article/Ole-Miss-Football-Closer-look-at-John-Rhys-Plumlees-record-breaking-season-139350457/ |access-date=April 11, 2020 |website=247Sports.com}}
Going into his sophomore season, Corral was named the Rebels' starting quarterback over Plumlee.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=David |date=September 27, 2020 |title=What now for the talented John Rhys Plumlee? |url=https://247sports.com/college/ole-miss/Article/Ole-Miss-Football-What-now-for-the-talented-John-Rhys-Plumlee-152076091/ |access-date=October 4, 2020 |website=247Sports.com}} Plumlee continued to be used in package plays while also serving as the backup quarterback. He also occasionally lined up at wide receiver and saw significant time at the position in the Rebels' 26–20 win over the Indiana Hoosiers in the 2021 Outback Bowl, catching five passes for 73 yards.{{Cite web |last=Gray |first=Nick |date=January 2, 2021 |title=John Rhys Plumlee plays, excels at receiver for Ole Miss during Outback Bowl |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/ole-miss/2021/01/02/john-rhys-plumlee-receiver-ole-miss-football-outback-bowl-indiana/4113067001/ |access-date=April 7, 2021 |website=The Clarion-Ledger}} Plumlee finished the season with 65 passing yards with one touchdown pass, 94 rushing yards, and six receptions for 79 yards in six games.{{Cite web |last=Reier |first=Travis |date=March 23, 2021 |title=Top five opposing wide receivers on Alabama's 2021 schedule |url=https://247sports.com/college/alabama/Article/Alabama-Crimson-Tide-football-top-five-opposing-wide-receivers-on-Alabamas-2021-schedule-162899617/ |access-date=April 7, 2021 |website=247Sports}} In baseball, he batted .267 with four doubles, one home run, seven stolen bases, 21 runs scored, and seven RBIs.{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/os-sp-ucf-knights-football-john-rhys-plumlee-military-bowl-baseball-20221224-2ngwcwxs7vehni7437kotb2ktm-story.html|title=Returning for ′23 football season, John Rhys Plumlee to play baseball first|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=December 24, 2022|access-date=February 20, 2023}}
Plumlee entered his junior season listed as a wide receiver. He finished the season with 19 receptions for 201 yards and 72 rushing yards on nine carries. Plumlee announced that he would be entering the transfer portal following Ole Miss's appearance in the 2022 Sugar Bowl.{{cite web|url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/ole-miss/2022/01/03/ole-miss-football-john-rhys-plumlee-transfer-portal-quarterback-receiver/9081597002/|title=Ole Miss QB/WR John Rhys Plumlee enters transfer portal|work=The Clarion-Ledger|date=January 3, 2022|access-date=January 10, 2022}}
==UCF==
Plumlee announced his commitment to transfer to UCF on January 9, 2022,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/33026947/ole-miss-rebels-john-rhys-plumlee-transferring-ucf-knights-play-qb|title=Ole Miss football's John Rhys Plumlee transferring to UCF Knights to play QB|first=Andrea|last=Adelson|website=ESPN.com|date=January 9, 2022|access-date=January 10, 2022}} and was named the Knights starting quarterback going into the 2022 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ucf-names-john-rhys-plumlee-starting-qb-gus-malzahn-tabs-former-ole-miss-star-to-lead-knights-offense/|title=UCF names John Rhys Plumlee starting QB: Gus Malzahn tabs former Ole Miss star to lead Knights offense|first=David|last=Cobb|website=CBS Sports|date=August 21, 2022|access-date=September 4, 2022}} He tied a school record with seven total touchdowns after he completed 18 of 22 pass attempts for 373 yards and four touchdowns and rushed seven times for 37 yards and three touchdowns in a 70–13 win over the Temple Owls on October 13, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/ucfs-john-rhys-plumlee-makes-history-dominant-seven-touchdown-performance|title=UCF's John Rhys Plumlee makes history with dominant seven-touchdown performance|first=Ryan|last=Morik|work=Fox News|date=October 13, 2022|access-date=October 20, 2022}} Plumlee finished the season with 218 completions on 346 pass attempts for 2,586 yards with 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions while also rushing for 862 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was named AAC offensive player of the week (3 times) and 2nd-team All-AAC by Phil Steele.{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/college/ucf/college-football-news/florida-gators-florida-state-seminoles-miami-hurricanes-ucf-knights-quarterback-depth-charts|title=2023 QB Depth Charts: UF, FSU, Miami and UCF|first=Brian|last=Smith|website=SI.com|date=January 13, 2023|access-date=February 7, 2023}}
=College football statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="3"| Games ! colspan="8"| Passing ! colspan="4"| Rushing ! colspan="4"| Receiving | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Comp | Att | Pct | Yards | Avg | TD | Int | Rate | Att | Yards | Avg | TD | Rec | Yards | Avg | TD |
| 2019
| rowspan="3" style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Ole Miss Rebels|border=2}}; | {{CollegeSecondaryColorLink|Ole Miss Rebels|Ole Miss Rebels football|Ole Miss}} | 9 || 8 || 2–6 || 79 || 150 || 52.7 || 910 || 6.1 || 4 || 3 || 108.4 || 154 || 1,023 || 6.6 || 12 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020
| 7 || 0 || 0–0 || 5 || 7 || 71.4 || 65 || 9.3|| 1 || 0 || 196.6 || 25 || 94 || 3.8 || 0 || 6 || 79 || 13.2 || 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2021
| 13 || 0 || 0–0 || 1 || 1 || 100.0 || 6 || 6.0 || 0 || 0 || 150.4 || 9 || 72 || 8.0|| 0 || 19 || 201 || 10.6 || 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2022
| rowspan="2" style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|UCF Knights|border=2}}; | {{CollegeSecondaryColorLink|UCF Knights|UCF Knights football|UCF}} | 13 || 13 || 8–5 || 218 || 346 || 63.0 || 2,586 || 7.5 || 14 || 8|| 134.5 || 159 || 862 || 5.4 || 11 || 1 || 16 || 16.0 || 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2023
| 10 || 10 || 5–5 || 161 || 256 || 62.9 || 2,271 || 8.9 || 15|| 8|| 150.5 || 106 || 505 || 4.8 || 5 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| colspan="2" | Career{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/john-rhys-plumlee-1.html|title=John Rhys Plumlee College Stats|website=Sports-Reference.com|access-date=}}
! 52 | 31 | 15–16 | 464 | 760 | 61.1 | 5,838 | 7.7 | 34 | 19 | 135.3 | 453 | 2,556 | 5.6 | 28 | 26 | 296 | 11.4 | 0 |
=College baseball=
Plumlee began his freshman baseball season as the Rebels' starting centerfielder, while playing in the same outfield as football teammate Jerrion Ealy.{{Cite web |last=Barnett |first=Zach |date=February 24, 2020 |title=Ole Miss QB John Rhys Plumlee, RB Jerrion Early also starting for Rebels' baseball team |url=https://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/02/24/ole-miss-qb-john-rhys-plumlee-rb-jerrion-early-also-starting-for-rebels-baseball-team/ |access-date=April 11, 2020 |website=NBC Sports}} He had one hit in 16 at-bats before the season was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/college/mississippistate/football/ole-miss-football-john-rhys-plumlee-ucf-transfer-portal-college-football-ncaa|title=Former Ole Miss Multi-Sport Athlete Commits to UCF|first=Elizabeth|last=Keen|website=SI.com|date=January 9, 2022|access-date=February 20, 2023}} He later committed to play for the UCF Knights baseball team, but his waiver to play in the 2022 season was denied by the NCAA.{{cite web|url=https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/sports/college/football/2022/09/01/ucf-football-roster-quarterback-john-rhys-plumlee/7904540001/|title=He's a 'great runner,' but can new QB John Rhys Plumlee be a winner for UCF? 5 things to know|first=Chris|last=Boyle|work=Daytona Beach News-Journal|date=September 1, 2022|access-date=September 4, 2022}}
Plumlee entered the 2023 season as a starting outfielder. Plumlee went viral on April 14 for participating in a baseball game as well as a football game on the same day. He was caught leaving to change into a different uniform mid-game to play in the spring football game. The 12–3 baseball victory over the Memphis Tigers, he went 2-for-3 with a triple, and two RBI. At the football game, he threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns, including a 70-yarder.{{Cite web|title=UCF football star plays baseball game, runs to field for spring game: 'This is a dream for me'|url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/ucf-football-star-plays-baseball-game-runs-spring-game|access-date=July 9, 2023 |work=Fox News|date=April 17, 2023 |language=en-US}} Plumlee finished the season, batting .286 with 11 doubles, one triple, 10 home runs, 43 runs scored, 32 RBI, and led the team in stolen bases with 18.{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/ucf-knights/os-sp-ucf-knights-football-john-rhys-plumlee-baseball-greg-lovelady-gus-malzahn-20230203-je2ddsxl6fhwve2er2ocfsswei-story.html|title=Excited for baseball season, UCF QB John Rhys Plumlee to juggle two sports|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=February 3, 2023|access-date=February 20, 2023}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 11 3/4
| weight = 203
| dash = 4.54
| ten split = 1.63
| twenty split = 2.62
| shuttle = 4.27
| cone drill = 6.96
| vertical = 36.5
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 4
| arm span = 30 3/8
| hand span = 8 7/8
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1030711&DraftYear=2024 |title=John Rhys Plumlee College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=June 23, 2024}}
}}
=Pittsburgh Steelers=
Plumlee signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2024.{{cite web|title=Steelers agree to terms with five undrafted free agents|url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-agree-to-terms-with-five-undrafted-free-agents|website=Steelers.com|date=April 27, 2024}}
He was selected by the Arlington Renegades with the third overall selection in the 2024 UFL draft on July 17.{{cite news |title=2024 UFL College Draft: Showboats select Kansas QB Jason Bean with No. 1 pick |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/ufl/2024-ufl-college-draft-tracking-every-selection |website=FoxSports.com |date=July 17, 2024 |access-date=July 19, 2024}}
=Jacksonville Jaguars=
Plumlee was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad on August 30, 2024.{{cite web |title=Roster Moves: Jaguars Sign QB John Rhys Plumlee |url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/roster-moves-jaguars-sign-qb-john-rhys-plumlee |website=Jaguars.com |publisher=Jacksonville Jaguars |access-date=31 August 2024}} He was released on November 12.{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Jaguars Make Four Moves to the Practice Squad During Week 11|url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/k000030-roster-moves-jaguars-make-four-moves-to-the-practice-squad-at-the-start-week-11|website=Jaguars.com|date=November 12, 2024}}
=Seattle Seahawks=
On November 20, 2024, Plumlee signed with the Seattle Seahawks practice squad.{{Cite web |date=November 20, 2024 |title=John Rhys Plumlee: Joins Seahawks' practice squad |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/john-rhys-plumlee-joins-seahawks-practice-squad/ |access-date=21 November 2024 |website=CBS Sports}} On January 2, 2025, Plumlee was signed to Seattle's active roster as a wide receiver.{{Cite web|title=Minor NFL Transactions: 1/2/25|url=https://www.profootballrumors.com/2025/01/minor-nfl-transactions-1-2-25|access-date=January 2, 2025|website=profootballrumors.com|language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{baseballstats|brm=plumle000joh}}
- [https://www.seahawks.com/team/players-roster/john-rhys-plumlee/ Seattle Seahawks bio]
- [https://olemisssports.com/sports/baseball/roster/john-rhys-plumlee/3148 Ole Miss Rebels baseball bio]
- [https://olemisssports.com/sports/football/roster/john-rhys-plumlee/2680 Ole Miss Rebels football bio]
- [https://ucfknights.com/sports/baseball/roster/john-rhys-plumlee/13336 UCF Knights baseball bio]
- [https://ucfknights.com/sports/football/roster/john-rhys-plumlee/13310 UCF Knights football bio]
{{Seattle Seahawks roster navbox}}
{{UCF Knights quarterback navbox}}
{{Ole Miss Rebels quarterback navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Plumlee, John Rhys}}
Category:American football quarterbacks
Category:Ole Miss Rebels baseball players
Category:Ole Miss Rebels football players
Category:Players of American football from Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Category:UCF Knights football players
Category:UCF Knights baseball players
Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players
Category:Jacksonville Jaguars players