Before Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett, who played seven seasons in the NFL, died Tuesday, according to the school district where he coached high school football. He was 35.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Coach Ryan Mallett,” White Hall School District said in a statement. “Coach Mallett is a beloved coach and educator. We ask that you remember the family, team, students, fellow coaches and staff of the White Hall School District in your prayers. your wish.”
Mallett started her college career at Michigan before moving to Arkansas, where he started a total of 26 games in 2009 and 2010. As a sophomore in red in 2009 under coach Bobby Petrino, he led the Razorbacks to a record record 8-5 and win the Liberty Bowl, the tournament in which he won Offensive the MVP title.
His best season came in 2010, when he threw 3,869 yards and 32 touchdowns, while also winning an All-SEC title for the second team for the second year in a row. He was seventh in the vote for the 2010 Heisman Trophy.
“Our @RazorbackFB family lost a very special person today,” said Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek wrote on Twitter. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ryan Mallett’s family, friends and teammates. #OneRazorback”
The New England Patriots picked Mallett in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft, in 74th place overall. Coach Bill Belichick at the time explained that the team never had enough depth in midfield, which led to them choosing Mallett as a backup for Tom Brady.
“We just felt he was a good player. He won everywhere he went – high school, college. He was a very impressive person to talk to,” Belichick said. at that moment.
Belichick detailed how the Patriots pursued Mallett’s college career, starting in Michigan in 2007, and then when he moved to Arkansas due to the new Wolverines coaching staff installing a violation other crime. At Arkansas, Belichick noted how Mallett operated professionally in attacking play under Petrino, saying in 2011: “He’s come a long way compared to some of the other midfielders we’ve seen.”
Mallett only played 24 times to back up Brady in New England, because Brady was so persistent and rarely played. He was dealing with Houston Texas prior to the 2014 season, where he spent time both as a starter and as a substitute before being made his debut in October 2015 and subsequently signing with Baltimore Crowswhom he played with throughout 2017.
“New England Patriots are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of former quarterback Ryan Mallett,” the team said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with Mallett’s family, his former teammates and all those who are mourning his passing.”
Mallett appeared in 21 NFL games during his career, making 8 starts. He passed 1,835 yards, with 9 touches and 10 interceptions.
He was hired as head football coach at White Hall High School in 2022 after beginning his coaching career as an assistant at Mountain Home High School.
“I always knew I was going to be a coach,” Mallett said after being appointed a coach at White Hall, according to the Arkansas Democracy Gazette. “It was natural for me. I understood that. I understood how things work and then I just loved football. You can teach the kids the right way at a young age, and that’s what I do. really enjoyed.”
ESPN’s Mike Reiss contributed to this report.
