NFL Update: Arkansas Razorbacks' Ryan Mallett to enter draft
University of Arkansas Razorbacks' Ryan Mallett has decided to go pro. Mallett won’t play his final season for the Razorbacks and will instead enter the 2011 NFL draft. “After careful consideration, I have decided to declare for the 2011 NFL draft,” Mallett
announced recently. “Ever since I was a kid, my dream has always been to play for the Razorbacks and I am thankful I had the opportunity to do so.”
The quarterback had a record breaking run with the Razorbacks. He broke or tied 45 University of Arkansas records. He has had back to back seasons with over 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. Ryan is only the fourth player in the South-eastern conference history
to have that distinction. Razorbacks' coach Bobby Petrino is proud of his quarterback. “Leaders do their job extremely well and lift everyone around them to compete better and Ryan does those things,” Petrino said.
"One of the greatest parts about coaching is watching individuals become adults while they are in college and Ryan has certainly developed not just as a player, but as a person," added Petrino. He wished Mallett success in his future endeavours.
The NFL had tried to woo the quarterback before but he declined the opportunity. Mallett then wanted to complete his degree before he tried out for the draft. He said that there was some unfinished business for him to attend to at the college football level.
“A year ago, when I returned to school I said I wanted to help lead this team to a place among the nation's elite and for the Razorbacks community to have a mindset to expect greatness,” said Mallett.
Mallet’s decision to sign up for the draft this year comes after the favourite for the overall number one pick, Stanford’s quarterback Andrew Luck rescinded his name from the draft and decided to instead continue his education. Mallett was always going to
be a sought after draft pick but in Luck’s absence in this year’s draft, Mallett would now stand higher in than before. Among the quarterbacks Mallett ranks somewhere near the top along with Missouri’s Blain Gabbert, Washington’s Jake Locker and Auburn’s Cam
Newton.
This season, Mallett led the University of Arkansas to a 10-3 overall score and their first berth in the BSC Bowl. Now Mallett would rise to a bigger stage, the NFL. “Playing in the NFL is a goal of mine and I am grateful to the people that have prepared
me to take the next step,” Mallett said. The quarterback thanked Petrino and the other coaches for all that they had done for him. He thanked coach Garrick McGree in particular for developing his mental approach to football.
Almost everyone in the NFL is drooling over Mallett nowadays and for good reason. The young quarterback has some terrific numbers to his credit. Mallett would undoubtedly be a first round draft pick but how good is he really? What the statistics don’t show
is Mallett’s tendency to choke during big games. This season’s Sugar Bowl run for Arkansas ended when the quarterback threw a costly interception against Ohio State. The Razorbacks lost 31-26. A similar fate befell the Razorbacks last year when Mallett squandered
a 20-7 lead over Alabama with two back to back interceptions in the final quarter.
If Mallett is tagged as someone who could choke in big games that would send him lower on the draft. In the NFL, great quarterbacks are separated from the mere good ones not by their statistics, but by their ability to lead their team to victory in big games
and tough situations. That is what Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Tom Brady do for their teams.
Mallett certainly has the talent. He is strong, physical and accurate. He can put the ball where it needs to be and the rest might be sorted out as he gains more experience in professional football.
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