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Arkansas will ask NCAA to allow Mallett to play immediately
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas will ask the NCAA to allow transfer quarterback Ryan Mallett to play immediately for the Razorbacks without sitting out a year.
Mallett transferred from Michigan after Rich Rodriguez replaced retiring coach Lloyd Carr.
“After visiting with Ryan and his parents, we feel that it is appropriate to file a waiver in this case based on extenuating circumstances,” Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long said in a release. “While the outcome of the waiver request is uncertain, we feel strongly that as an institution we should offer our full support to Ryan and his family in this process.”
When contacted by The Associated Press, a school spokesman would not elaborate on what Long meant by “extenuating circumstances.” Mallett’s father, Jim Mallett, also declined comment.
The 6-foot-7 Mallett, who played in 11 games for the Wolverines last year, has three years of eligibility remaining. Mallett appears well suited to a pro-style offense, but Rodriguez’s offense works well with a more mobile quarterback.
Mallett was 61-of-141 for 892 yards with seven touchdown passes and five interceptions last season while filling in for Chad Henne when he was injured.
Mallett went to high school on the Texas side of Texarkana, but lived on the Arkansas side.
© 2008, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted by dadavids on February 5, 2008 at 5:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Since we don't play them for a while, I hope they get the waiver.
Posted by KingsportVol on February 5, 2008 at 5:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hell let him play.What's one more Mullett in Arkansas.
Posted by IPOrange on February 5, 2008 at 6:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Forget it, bud. It ain't happening. You can sit out a year like everybody else.
Posted by AlpharettaVol on February 5, 2008 at 6:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The only extenuating circumstance is that he didn't think he could get a jump-start on an NFL career under Rodriguez.
Posted by tngeoff on February 5, 2008 at 6:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dang.
Posted by bricker865 on February 5, 2008 at 6:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think he deserves some consideration for a waiver due to the coaching change. If coaches can bail out on their players then the players deserve a chance to go somewhere they fit in. With that being said I don't think he deserves quiet the same consideration of say a Tyler Smith (family reasons), or a team going on probation, etc.
Posted by bricker865 on February 5, 2008 at 6:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Seems like he would want to wait until Casey Dick is gone and he would be an almost automatic starter.
Posted by cjraney on February 5, 2008 at 7:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't claim to know the specifics of the applicable rule but from other similar cases he would seem to have zero chance. But in light of coaches' freedom to move from school to school I believe the rule should be evaluated and possibly modified. Either to restrict coaches in some way or grant more freedom to the student athletes.
Posted by TommyJack on February 5, 2008 at 7:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No way. The rule is there for a reason. The coaching deal is another story entirely. No connection. They should NOT allow the goober to play this year.
Posted by dave1 on February 5, 2008 at 7:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Would not surprise me if they are not setting up a lawsuit against the NCAA over this rule. Someone always has to be the test case for something like this (like going to the NFL early), and these folks may think they are the ones to try. On another note, I think is interesting that this involves a quarterback, parents that seem to be way too involved, and Arkansas. Sound familar??
Posted by pdhuff on February 5, 2008 at 8:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tj, is this the rule keeping Dupree out this year?
Beat the Gators.
Posted by nikesportsfan on February 5, 2008 at 11:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No way he is allowed to play next year, that would open up a box the NCAA doesn't want to deal with.
Posted by Pullingguard on February 5, 2008 at 11:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope it happens... Why shouldn't it happen... Michigan made the decision to force a coaching change to the detriment of Mallett by hiring a coach whose needs were not needed or met by Mallett in a new system. Michigan made the change against the wishes and promises in the recruiting process... Go to court Mallett, someone must to stop this crap.
Posted by TommyJack on February 6, 2008 at 1:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
PD: Dupree made 6 on his ACT, thus only eligible for AL. But they're over the limit.
Posted by LadyVolsEighTimes on February 8, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dude just needs to man up and sit out a year. It is time to grow up, reminds me of the people I was in service with. They were happy until a war broke out and then suddenly they were all filing for CO status.
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