John Rhys Plumlee has rapidly become a standout name in college football, celebrated for his exceptional athleticism and versatility on the field. As the quarterback for the UCF Knights, Plumlee has not only demonstrated his prowess in football but also showcased his talents in baseball, making him a truly unique dual-sport athlete. This profile delves into the career highlights, achievements, and key attributes that define John Rhys Plumlee’s impactful presence in collegiate sports.
A Look at John Rhys Plumlee’s Career Honors and Accolades
Plumlee’s career is marked by significant honors that underscore his impact and skill. His accolades include:
- Honorable Mention All-Big 12: Recognition from the Big 12 conference highlights his performance among top players.
- Manning Award Star of the Week (Nov. 13, 2023): This honor spotlights his exceptional game performances, specifically noted in November 2023.
- Davey O’Brien Great 8 List (Nov. 13, 2023): Inclusion in this list further emphasizes his quarterback skills and national recognition.
- Maxwell Award Watch List: Being on this list places him among contenders for the prestigious Maxwell Award, given to the nation’s best college football player.
- Davey O’Brien Award Watch List: This watch list nomination recognizes him as one of the top quarterbacks in college football.
- Manning Award Watch List: Another acknowledgment that places him among the nation’s leading quarterbacks.
- Senior Bowl Watch List: This list indicates that NFL scouts are watching Plumlee as a potential prospect for professional football.
These honors collectively highlight Plumlee’s consistent performance and growing reputation in college football.
2023 Season: Leading the UCF Knights in the Big 12
As a fifth-year senior in 2023, John Rhys Plumlee played a pivotal role as a team captain for the UCF Knights in their inaugural Big 12 season. Starting in 10 games, he earned an Honorable Mention as an All-Big 12 quarterback, voted by the league coaches, showcasing his immediate impact in a competitive conference.
Entering the 2023 campaign, 247Sports lauded Plumlee as the nation’s most dynamic athlete at the quarterback position, setting high expectations for his performance. He not only met but exceeded many of these expectations, further cementing his legacy at UCF.
Key highlights from his 2023 season include:
- Record-Breaking Rushing: Plumlee broke the UCF career record for rushing yards by a quarterback, surpassing McKenzie Milton’s previous record against Cincinnati. This achievement underscores his dual-threat capability as a quarterback who can both pass and run effectively.
- Dual-Sport Excellence: On April 14, 2023, Plumlee exemplified his dual-sport prowess by starting a UCF baseball game in center field and then playing in the spring football game on the same night. In baseball, he had two hits and two RBIs before transitioning to football, where he threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns.
- Statistical Achievements: Throughout the 2023 season, Plumlee completed 161 of 256 passes for 2,271 yards, 15 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He also rushed 106 times for 505 yards and five touchdowns, demonstrating his balanced offensive contributions.
- Standout Games:
- Kent State: Plumlee completed 22 of 30 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 90 yards and a touchdown in the first half alone.
- Boise State: He completed 16 of 24 passes for 272 yards and led UCF rushers with 73 yards.
- Oklahoma: Plumlee threw for 248 yards and two touchdowns, including an 86-yard pass to Javon Baker, which became the longest pass play in the Big 12 in 2023 and the fourth-longest in UCF history.
- West Virginia: He matched his career-high with 25 completions for 274 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for a touchdown.
- Oklahoma State: Plumlee achieved a season-high 299 passing yards and three touchdowns, highlighting his ability to deliver in high-stakes conference games.
- Texas Tech: He led UCF in rushing with 84 yards and also passed for 249 yards and a touchdown.
- Houston: Plumlee passed for 253 yards and rushed for 58 yards, scoring a touchdown in both categories.
- Gasparilla Bowl vs. Georgia Tech: He passed for 198 yards and two touchdowns in the bowl game, capping off his season with a strong performance.
Plumlee’s performance in 2023 not only solidified his position as a leader for the UCF Knights but also showcased his ability to compete at a high level in the Big 12 Conference.
2022 Season: Emergence as a Dual-Threat Star in the AAC
In his senior season of 2022, John Rhys Plumlee truly emerged as a national name, playing in all 13 games for UCF and earning recognition as a 2nd-team All-AAC quarterback by Phil Steele. He was a three-time AAC Offensive Player of the Week and earned Davey O’Brien Great 8 honors three times, alongside being named a Manning Award Star of the Week.
Key highlights from his impressive 2022 season include:
- Leading Rusher Among FBS Quarterbacks: Plumlee led all FBS quarterbacks in rushing yards with 861 yards and 11 touchdowns on 159 carries. He also threw for 2,586 yards with 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
- AAC Rankings: He ranked fourth in the AAC in rushing and significantly contributed to UCF ranking ninth nationally in team rushing and 17th in total offense.
- Consistent Performance: Plumlee demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the season, achieving multiple 100-yard rushing games and high-passing yardage games.
- Record-Tying Game: Against Temple, Plumlee tied a 35-year-old UCF record by accounting for seven touchdowns, showcasing a career-defining performance.
- Standout Games:
- South Carolina State: 308 passing yards and 4 touchdowns, along with 100 rushing yards and a touchdown.
- FAU: 339 passing yards and a touchdown, plus 123 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.
- Georgia Tech: 100 rushing yards and a touchdown.
- SMU: 316 passing yards and 2 touchdowns.
- Temple: Career-high 373 passing yards and 4 touchdowns, plus 3 rushing touchdowns.
- USF: Rushed for 133 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 8 carries, while also throwing for a touchdown.
- Tulane: Season-high 176 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.
Plumlee’s 2022 season firmly established him as one of the most dynamic and versatile quarterbacks in college football, earning him accolades and national attention.
Prior to UCF: Ole Miss and High School Career
Before transferring to UCF in January 2022, John Rhys Plumlee played at Ole Miss from 2019 to 2021, where he began to showcase his athletic versatility.
Ole Miss Highlights:
- 2021 Season: Transitioned to wide receiver, catching 19 passes for 201 yards and rushing for 72 yards.
- 2020 Season: Played in seven games as a wide receiver and quarterback, rushing for 94 yards, receiving for 79 yards, and passing for 65 yards and a touchdown.
- 2019 Season: Earned Freshman All-America honors as an all-purpose player and was named to the 247Sports True Freshman All-American team. He set an Ole Miss freshman rushing record with 1,023 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns, breaking Jeremiah Masoli’s quarterback rushing record.
High School Career:
- Plumlee was a standout at Oak Grove High School, earning Mississippi Class 6A High School Offensive Player of the Year in 2018.
- He led Oak Grove to the South State Championship and a runner-up finish in the state title game.
- In his high school career, he threw for 5,430 yards with 51 touchdowns.
- He also played baseball at Ole Miss, appearing in 13 games in 2020, further displaying his dual-sport capability.
Personal and Academic Achievements
Off the field, John Rhys Plumlee is equally accomplished. He graduated from UCF in May 2023 with a degree in interdisciplinary studies from the College of Undergraduate Studies. He also earned academic honors at Ole Miss, including Chancellor’s Honor Roll and Dean’s List accolades, and received 2022 AAC All-Academic Team honors at UCF.
John Rhys Plumlee’s journey is a testament to his exceptional athletic talent, versatility, and dedication. Whether on the football field or the baseball diamond, he consistently demonstrates a commitment to excellence and leadership, making him a remarkable figure in college sports and a player to watch in the future.
