John Rhys Plumlee Bio
John Rhys Plumlee (born January 2, 2001) is an American professional football player who plays wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He is currently a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2024. Plumlee is a dual-sport athlete who played both college football and college baseball at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and the University of Central Florida (UCF). Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing about 200 pounds, he is known for his speed, versatility, and rare ability to compete at a high level in two major American sports.
Born and raised in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Plumlee starred in both football and baseball at Oak Grove High School before committing to play both sports at Ole Miss. After college, he transitioned fully to football as a professional and has since moved between practice squads and active rosters with several NFL organizations. His professional journey reflects the persistence of a late-round prospect working to establish himself in the league.
Early Life and Background
John Rhys Plumlee was born on January 2, 2001, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to parents Denton and Lori Plumlee. He grew up alongside an older sister, Rhyan, and a younger sister, Reese, both of whom were standout volleyball players at Oak Grove High School. Plumlee attended Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, where he became a two-sport standout in football and baseball from an early age.
As a high school sophomore, Plumlee was named the starting quarterback for the Oak Grove Warriors. His junior season saw him complete 1,759 passing yards with 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions while adding 599 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in nine games, earning selection to The Clarion-Ledger’s “Dandy Dozen.” On the diamond that same year, he batted .442 with 35 runs batted in and 38 runs scored in 27 games, signaling his rare athletic upside.
As a senior, Plumlee passed for 2,834 yards with 33 touchdowns and only three interceptions while rushing for 1,444 yards and 19 touchdowns, leading Oak Grove to a Southern State championship. He finished his three-year high school career with 5,430 passing yards, 2,314 rushing yards, and 82 total touchdowns. Originally committed to the University of Georgia, Plumlee flipped his commitment to Ole Miss to play both football and baseball.
Path to Professional Football
Plumlee’s path to professional football began at Ole Miss, where he arrived as a highly touted dual-sport recruit in 2019. As a true freshman quarterback for the Ole Miss Rebels, he stepped into action after an injury to starter Matt Corral, debuting against the California Golden Bears with 82 passing yards and 53 rushing yards. He earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors after rushing for 165 yards against the Vanderbilt Commodores and set Ole Miss freshman records for rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and total touchdowns in a season.
Following his freshman year, Plumlee transitioned to a utility role and eventually to wide receiver as a junior in 2021. After the Rebels’ appearance in the 2022 Sugar Bowl, he announced his transfer to UCF, where he was immediately named the Knights’ starting quarterback. In his lone full UCF season, he threw for 2,586 yards with 14 touchdowns and added 862 rushing yards with 11 scores, earning second-team All-AAC recognition from Phil Steele. His senior season in 2023 was cut short by injury, leading him to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft.
John Rhys Plumlee Career
Early Career (2024)
Despite going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, John Rhys Plumlee signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2024. He was waived by Pittsburgh on August 27, 2024, as part of final roster cuts. Shortly after, he was selected by the Arlington Renegades with the third overall pick in the 2024 UFL Draft on July 17, 2024, although he was later waived by the UFL club as well.
On August 30, 2024, Plumlee was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad to continue his development. He was released by Jacksonville on November 12, 2024, before getting another opportunity later that month. These early stops allowed him to gain experience within NFL systems while showcasing his versatility as both a quarterback and a wide receiver.
Seattle Seahawks (2024-2025)
On November 20, 2024, Plumlee signed with the Seattle Seahawks practice squad, continuing his journey through multiple organizations. His perseverance paid off on January 2, 2025, when he was elevated to Seattle’s active roster as a wide receiver. The promotion marked his first official active-roster appearance in the NFL and validated the work he had put in across multiple practice squads.
Plumlee’s time in Seattle ultimately ended on August 26, 2025, when he was waived with an injury designation as part of the Seahawks’ final roster cuts. Although the stint was brief, it gave him valuable in-season experience at the wide receiver position and exposure to a contending NFC roster.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2025-Present)
After his release from Seattle, Plumlee returned to the franchise that originally gave him his NFL opportunity. On October 29, 2025, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed him to their practice squad. He was waived on November 4, 2025, before being re-signed to the practice squad on November 18, 2025. His familiarity with the Steelers’ system has made him a steady developmental piece within the organization.
Plumlee continues to work toward an active-roster spot in Pittsburgh while contributing on special teams and at wide receiver in practice. The Steelers’ investment in his continued development speaks to the upside he brings as a former college quarterback with elite straight-line speed.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most memorable moments of Plumlee’s athletic career came on April 14, 2023, when he went viral for playing both a baseball game and a UCF football spring game on the same day. He was caught leaving to change uniforms mid-day, going 2-for-3 with a triple and two runs batted in during a 12-3 baseball win over the Memphis Tigers before throwing for 230 yards and two touchdowns in the spring football game. The dual performance showcased the rare two-sport talent that has defined his career.
John Rhys Plumlee Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Plumlee comes from a supportive athletic family rooted in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. His parents, Denton and Lori Plumlee, raised him in a household that valued multi-sport participation. His sisters Rhyan and Reese both competed at a high level in volleyball at Oak Grove High School, contributing to a family culture centered on athletics and competition.
Personal Life
John Rhys Plumlee, whose first name is pronounced “Rice,” is a United States citizen who grew up and continues to be connected to his hometown of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He is active on social media, where fans can follow his professional journey through his verified accounts. As of 2025, Plumlee remains focused on establishing a long-term NFL career while staying connected to his Mississippi roots.
2025 Season Performance
John Rhys Plumlee’s 2025 NFL season has been defined by movement between practice squads and active rosters. After being waived by the Seattle Seahawks in late August, he returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers organization in October when the team signed him to its practice squad on October 29, 2025. He was briefly waived on November 4 before being re-signed on November 18, 2025, as Pittsburgh continues to develop his skills at the wide receiver position.
Although he has not yet cemented a full-time spot on an active 53-man roster, Plumlee’s continued presence on Steelers and Seahawks practice squads reflects the league’s view of him as a developmental athlete with intriguing upside. His experience as a college starting quarterback and a productive college baseball player provides him with a rare skill set that teams value on practice fields.
Looking ahead to the remainder of the 2025 season, Plumlee’s primary objective is to earn an elevation to Pittsburgh’s active roster and contribute on special teams or as a rotational wide receiver. His combination of prior starting experience, athletic tools, and familiarity with the Steelers’ system positions him as a potential late-season call-up should injuries create opportunities at the position.