Remembering Ryan Mallet: Tributes to a Razorback legend

“Mallett in the shotgun…throws it up over the top….A breakaway! Cobi Hamilton! 10…5…CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? UNBELIEVABLE!”

Ryan Mallett, dubbed the best arm ever seen by former Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino, died at the age of 35 on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.

For most of my high school career the legend of Ryan Mallett is all we heard about. The future of college football was in Texas High.

Mallett was a Razorback through and through, ultimately becoming a Hog after transferring from Michigan following the 2007 season.

After redshirting the 2008 season, Mallett led the 2009 team to an 8-5 record and was honored with the Liberty Bowl MVP award. He displayed incredible arm talent never before seen in Fayetteville. As a redshirt sophomore, Mallett passed for 3624 yards, 30 touchdowns to just 7 interceptions. That performance gave Arkansas fans supreme confidence heading into 2010 and Mallett made sure not to disappoint.

How do you top a promising season? By leading his team to a 10-win season and a berth in the program’s first BCS Bowl Game appearance versus Ohio State in 2010.

The 6’7, 235 pound signal caller passed for 3,869 yards and 32 touchdowns and earned second-team All-SEC honors for a second straight year. He also earned votes in the 2010 Heisman Trophy race, ultimately finishing seventh.

We are shocked and saddened by the passing of Ryan Mallett. He was a Razorback legend with larger-than-life talent and a personality to match. He led our program to some of our best moments in recent memory. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are… pic.twitter.com/aYlMOBkHAV

— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) June 27, 2023

Personally, while on a visit to the University of Arkansas, I had the opportunity to meet Mallett as he began preparing to be the starter in 2009. He was so excited to be a Razorback and help return the football program back to national prominence.

There was excitement about the pieces surrounding him that were returning to the team, especially the wide receiver group. Jarius Wright, Greg Childs and Joe Adams already displayed promise as freshmen. Then, add in budding star tight end, DJ Williams, and promising running back Knile Davis and it made the offense truly prolific.

Recalling my first game in Fayetteville against Georgia in 2009, the excitement surrounded Razorback Stadium and poured inside. The atmosphere was electric as we were able to watch Mallett rewrite the record books for single game passing in nearly every statistical category possible – in just his first home start. Mallett shredded the Bulldog defense to the tune of 409 yards passing and 5 touchdowns that night in a 52-41 loss.

Despite a losing effort, Arkansas football was back to being the ticket to buy. The foundation of an exciting brand of football was set with Ryan Mallett leading the charge.

What we saw that night in Fayetteville was destiny. A guy that was able to sling it around the field and put up gaudy stats in a system that was foreign to anything at Arkansas before it. All the while creating highlight reel plays with each snap.

He had fans on the edge of their seats every time he dropped back to pass and possessed a “wow-factor” unlike any we had seen before or since.

His career was something to behold, something to treasure. Every single person on that team, each personnel member and the whole coaching staff loved and adored Mallett. They responded to him, played for him and fought with him. Mallett had the heart of a Razorback.

There are simply too many memories to include in this right now as they overflow our minds. Simply put, he was one of the greatest to ever don the cardinal and white.

As a Pro

Following the 2010 season, Mallett was drafted by the New England Patriots with the 74th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He would spend seven seasons in the league with the Patriots, Texans and Ravens.

After his playing career ended, Mallett went into coaching first as a football assistant at Mountain Home High School. He would then be hired as head coach at White Hall High School for the 2022 season.

Mallett was quoted in a recent interview with Whole Hog Sports saying, “My job is to help shape and mold young people. This is the time a lot of them are finding out about themselves. I hope I can help them,”

Rest in peace, 15. You will be missed and your memory will live forever.

Tributes to Ryan Mallett

A special man and Razorback. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his kids he was coaching. https://t.co/s6CVQZH5LP

— Coach Sam Pittman (@CoachSamPittman) June 28, 2023

I am heartbroken to hear of the passing of one of the greatest competitors I’ve had the privilege of coaching. Not only was Ryan a great leader and teammate on the field, he was a thoughtful and generous person off the field as well.

Personally, I know how much he loved being a… pic.twitter.com/qtmRiT4uPn

— Bobby Petrino (@CoachBPetrino) June 28, 2023

Watching Ryan Mallett made me love the game of football. My prayers go out to his family, friends, students and coworkers. pic.twitter.com/C1BYb71nrZ

— Mason Choate (@ChoateMason) June 27, 2023

RIP to a great Arkansas and Patriots teammate, Ryan Mallett. Praying for God’s peace upon his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/rKN3s7GIJQ

— Jake Bequette (@JakeBequette91) June 27, 2023

Man…

Rest Easy Ryan Mallett.. I had the opportunity to have a few beers with Ryan and I always appreciated his kindness.

WE NEVER KNOW WHEN OUR TIME IS COMING… life is finite. Let’s never forget that. pic.twitter.com/LAhBJ1xnU5

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 27, 2023

Ryan Mallett. One of the Hogs who lived up to the hype. Mallett to J. Wright. I was concerned about
him when his career ended , but was so proud that he
was doing well as head coach at White Hall. Thoughts are with all his loved ones including those Bulldog players. pic.twitter.com/xo6A9XPQy1

— Steve Sullivan (@sully7777) June 27, 2023

Horrible news to read about Ryan Mallett.

Gone way too soon.

Rest in Peace brother.

🙏🏼

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) June 27, 2023

Our @RazorbackFB family lost an incredibly special person today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and teammates of Ryan Mallett. #OneRazorback pic.twitter.com/cpo3WcjMoj

— Hunter Yurachek (@HunterYurachek) June 27, 2023

Life is a precious, fragile thing. Death is inevitable, but every now and then one comes along and just really shocks you. This is one of them.

Rest in peace, Ryan Mallett.

— JC Hoops (@JacksonCollier) June 27, 2023

Said many times that Ryan Mallett was the best QB in Razorback history. Skill set unmatched. Great competitor & his teammates loved him. Some of this throws & moments are burned forever in my Hog memory. RIP one five. Razorback Nation forever grateful
pic.twitter.com/rbTNPXbZbF

— John Nabors (@BuzzJohnNabors) June 27, 2023

Such an elite arm. CFB won’t forget Ryan Mallett. pic.twitter.com/KmBUKzinqv

— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) June 27, 2023

Man, Ryan Mallett could throw a dime. pic.twitter.com/9yTKScqcLu

— Hog Flashbacks (@HogFlashbacks) June 27, 2023

Absolutely heartbroken hearing the news about Ryan Mallett. Rest Easy One Five!

— pinto (@pinto479) June 27, 2023

Deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of my friend & @RazorbackFB great Ryan Mallett. Although he started elsewhere, he found his home at the University of Arkansas. My thoughts & prayers are with the Mallett family & those blessed to call him teammate and friend. #RIP pic.twitter.com/sLxLN38UPF

— Kevin Trainor (@KTHogs) June 27, 2023

Terrible, terrible news. Ryan Mallett revitalized Arkansas football in 2009 and 2010. To me, he’s the best quarterback in Hogs history. The opportunity to cover him from 2008-10 was special, and hearing his story as he pursued coaching in recent years was the good stuff. RIP. https://t.co/ewutIpFc6t

— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) June 27, 2023

One of the saddest days ever for the Razorbacks.
The greatest QB in school history
Rest in Peace and Love #15 https://t.co/njMz6sORXH

— Matt Zimmerman (@CoachZ_ARKANSAS) June 27, 2023

RIP Ryan Mallett…..great person.
Legendary player 🙏🙏🙏

— Dan Enos (@CoachDanEnos) June 27, 2023

It’s being reported that Ryan Mallett drowned today. Send a prayer up for Ryan’s family and loved ones during this tragic time.

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) June 27, 2023

“It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Coach Ryan Mallett. Coach Mallett was a beloved coach and educator. We ask that you remember his family, team, students, fellow coaches, and the White Hall School District staff in your prayers.” – WH School District statement

— Chris May (@KATVChrisMay) June 27, 2023

RIP Brother. pic.twitter.com/hIJyHNk0ep

— Grant Cook (@GrantJ_Cook) June 27, 2023

I cannot believe it. My prayers go up to the Mallet family and to the community of White Hall.

You’ll always be the goat in my book. 💔🙏🏻

Rest in peace #15. pic.twitter.com/of0o6fi0f5

— Aaron Weatherford (@Weatherford_99) June 27, 2023

It’s hard to overstate how much Ryan Mallett meant to Arkansas fans from the day he committed shortly after the Petrino hire all the way through to the Sugar Bowl.

It was a helluva time. This is awful.

— Doc Harper (@doc_harper) June 27, 2023

Thank you for the memories 15 pic.twitter.com/X7PllzYrrv

— fq Arkansas (@fqArkansas) June 27, 2023