Former Michigan football QB Ryan Mallett passes away tragically
In some very sad news on Tuesday, former Michigan football quarterback Ryan Mallett has passed away.
It’s a sad day for Michigan football and college football fans all over as former Wolverines/Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Ryan Mallett passed away on Tuesday according to multiple media reports.
The cause of death appears to be drowning according to the Deltaplex news, which was quoted by 247 Sports and reported that Mallett had been “transported to a Florida hospital from a beach. He was pronounced deceased at the hospital.”
Ryan Mallett was at one time one of the highest-rated recruits to ever sign with the Michigan football program as a five-star recruit in the 2007 class. He was ranked fifth overall via the 247 Sports composite rankings and was the No. 2 quarterback in his class.
After spending one season with Michigan football, mostly serving as a backup to Chad Henne, Mallett transferred and eventually became the starting quarterback for Arkansas.
The 6-foot-6 signal-caller left his impact on the school and led the Razorbacks to their first-ever berth in a bowl championship series bowl game. Here’s what the Arkansas Athletic department wrote about Mallett back in 2020:
"“Ryan Mallett is one of the best players in Razorback history. But his college career didn’t start with the Razorbacks and from his perspective, there was a good reason why. Mallett’s talent was evident at a young age. Michigan was the first to take notice and eventually earned Mallett’s commitment, but after the legendary Lloyd Carr retired, Mallett’s boyhood dream of becoming a Hog began to look like more of a reality. After sitting out a year because of transfer rules, it became clear that Ryan Mallett was a perfect fit for head coach Bobby Petrino. And in 2010, Arkansas made its first-ever BCS bowl appearance. Thought there were ups and downs, missteps, and misunderstandings. Ryan Mallett gave Arkansas some of its best SEC memories, culminating as an NFL starter and eight-year league veteran."
Mallett completed 61-of-141 passes for 892 yards and seven touchdowns during his Michigan football career, while throwing for 7,493 yards and 62 touchdowns for Arkansas. He was a third-round pick of the New England Patriots too. He still holds the record for the longest touchdown pass in Michigan football history.
Prior to his death, Mallett had taken over as the head football coach of a program in Arkansas.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones. May he rest in peace.