The former Knights star showcased his dual-threat mobility and deep-ball precision in a breakout performance for Houston, solidifying his role as a rising standout in the UFL.
Former UCF quarterback John Rhys Plumlee recorded the best passing outing of his three-game tenure with the Houston Gamblers against the St. Louis Battlehawks last Sunday in The Dome at America's Center.
Plumlee completed 11-for-21 passes for 131 yards and an interception. It was his first game leading the Gamblers as the quarterback for the majority of snaps.
The former Knight dropped a nice 44-yard pass to Jalen Moreno-Cropper in the third quarter after receiving pressure from the Battlehawks' defensive line. It became his second-longest completed pass in his UFL career.
Plumlee picked up a first down with his legs before the two-minute warning in the second quarter. He rushed for 10 yards and was pushed out of bounds by LaVonta Bentley.
While his performance wasn't spectacular enough to lead the Gamblers to victory, he has made the most out of his opportunity with Houston. Plumelee has played three games for the Gamblers, totaling 177 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
The Gamblers signed Plumlee following their Week 6 loss to the Columbus Aviators. He made his debut against the Orlando Storm the following week and threw the first touchdown pass of his UFL career.
Plumlee spent his final two seasons at UCF leading the charge under Gus Malzahn. He threw for 4,857 yards, 29 touchdowns and 16 interceptions during his tenure.
His most memorable moment as a Knight came against Florida Atlantic on Sept. 17, 2023. Plumlee threw for a career-high 339 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He added two more touchdowns on the ground through 20 carries and 121 yards.
The 6-foot quarterback has always shown his ability to be a dual-threat on the field. He tallied 1,367 rushing yards in his two seasons at UCF, and a career-high 1,203 yards in his freshman campaign at Ole Miss in 2019.
Plumlee is making a name for himself in the UFL, something he struggled to do in the NFL. He spent time with the Pittsburgh Steelers twice, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Seattle Seahawks.
Those teams never elevated him from their practice squads, which eventually led to them waiving him. While his time in the UFL has been brief, he's made an impact he couldn't have in the NFL.
Houston has one final game to play next week against the Birmingham Stallions. Plumlee could be featured as the lead quarterback again for the majority of the game, as he did last Sunday.
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