Tag: Ryan Mallett

Former Michigan football five-star QB passes away

This is awful. RIP.

He was only in Ann Arbor for a year, but he was once considered the future of the program.

In 2007, he was thrust into action as a true freshman with incumbent starter Chad Henne struggling with injuries and the Wolverines struggling overall.

At least, they had a phenom to turn to.

They had Ryan Mallett to turn to.

Mallett was a former five-star quarterback who was ranked fifth overall in the 2007 recruiting class.

Despite his rapid ascent, Mallett’s tenure was short-lived. Lloyd Carr retired, and Michigan changed course by bringing in spread offense guru Rich Rodriguez. That philosophy did not fit Mallett’s skill set, prompting the Texarkana (Arkansas) resident to transfer. He returned home to finish his career with Arkansas.

According to reports, Mallett died on Tuesday at the age of 35. Reports indicate he drowned while visiting Florida.

Mallett was the football coach at White Hall High School in Arkansas after a playing stint in the NFL. White Hall is located about 30 miles south of Little Rock.

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Data proves it: KJ Jefferson had best first-year as starter in modern Arkansas history

Of the 14 first-year starters Arkansas has had since 2002, KJ Jefferson checks in above some legendary names.

To say KJ Jefferson’s first season as a starter in college football was a success is a bit of an understatement.

The sophomore went from being ranked as the No. 14 quarterback in the SEC to arguably the No. 3. He completed 184 of 275 passes for 2,578 yards with 21 touchdowns and three interceptions. He ran for another 554 yards and five touchdowns on 126 carries.

Most importantly, he led Arkansas to an 8-4 regular-season record – its best since 2011 – and an appearance in the Outback Bowl.

Determining a placing for where he ranks is impossible. Too many factors to consider. So we’ll try our best. And, alas, not with all Arkansas quarterbacks. Let’s limit the scope to Arkansas quarterbacks of the last 20 years in their first year as starter. Going before that is a disservice to both parties because of how much the game has changed.

So here they are, comparisons of each Arkansas first-year starter since 2002.

Top 5 first-year-as-starter seasons at quarterback since 2000

Arkansas has had a number of quarterbacks put up impressive numbers in their first season as the starter.

KJ Jefferson has impressed to say the least in his first full season as the starter in 2021.

Jefferson had made spot starts in his first two seasons on campus (the first was a redshirt) but he is firmly entrenched now.

Arkansas has had a number of quarterbacks make a splash in their first year as the starter since the turn of the millennium.

Here is a look at the top five seasons compiled by first year Razorback signal callers since 2000.

 

Former Texans QB Ryan Mallett joining Arkansas high school football coaching staff

Former Houston Texans quarterback Ryan Mallett will join the Mountain Home High School Bombers’ football coaching staff in north central Arkansas.

Ryan Mallett is returning to football.

The former Houston Texans starting quarterback will join the Mountain Home High School Bombers’ football coaching staff in 2020, according to a tweet from the official account of Bombers football.

“Welcome to Bomber Nation, Coach Ryan Mallett!” the tweet read on April 17. “You’re going to be a huge asset to our family! We are pumped to have you on the field with us and can’t wait to get back to work!!”

The tweet also featured a picture of Mallett, when he was with the New England Patriots from 2011-13, celebrating with quarterback Tom Brady.

Mallett came to the Texans in 2014 after the organization traded a sixth-round pick to the Patriots for his services. The former Arkansas Razorback compiled a 2-4 record in Houston from 2014-15 before being released in the middle of coach Bill O’Brien’s second season with the club. The Texarkana Texas High product threw for five touchdowns, six interceptions, and compiled a 65.0 passer rating. It wasn’t good enough to beat out Ryan Fitzpatrick for a starting job in 2014, nor was it satisfactory to keep Brian Hoyer on the bench in 2015.

The 6-6, 240-pound gunslinger finished up his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens from 2015-17, recording a 1-1 mark with four touchdowns, three interceptions, and a 74.5 passer rating.