Ryan Mallett

A five-star recruit out of Texarkana, Texas, Mallett committed to Michigan and played in 11 games as a true freshman, including three starts when Chad Henne was injured. However, the Wolverines' program was thrown into upheaval when coach Lloyd Carr left following the 2007 season. Mallett wasn't comfortable with the idea of playing in new coach Rich Rodriguez's speed-option offense, so he transferred to Arkansas to play for Bobby Petrino and sat out the 2008 season. Finally back on the field in 2009, Mallett led the SEC in touchdown passes (30), passing yards per game (278.8) and total offense (276.5) while throwing at least five touchdowns in three different games. He also led the nation with 44 completions of 25-plus yards, an indication of how well the rocket-armed Mallett fit in Petrino's pro-style offense. His junior season was one of the finest in Razorbacks history, including setting single-season school records with 266 completions on 411 attempts with 3,869 yards and 32 touchdowns. Mallett also completed 30 passes of 30-plus yards. There is no arguing that he can stand in the pocket and fire balls downfield with more arm strength than any other quarterback in this class (he says he can throw a ball 80-plus yards). However, Mallett's 5.37-second 40-yard dash at his pro day speaks to his severe lack of mobility, and then there are the off-field and character concerns. Rumors of off-field drug use were widely circulated in the days leading up to the scouting combine, and let to a terse media session that resulted in plenty of criticism when he refused to address the reports. "They can keep circulating or whatever. But I can't control them," Mallett said. "I mean, obviously somebody did it for a reason, right before the combine, right before the draft." Mallett did interview well with several teams, according to sources who spoke with NFLDraftScout.com's Rob Rang, and Petrino has come out in support of his former quarterback and said Mallett never failed a drug test at Arkansas. "I would say I'm a great person. I would also tell (NFL teams) to ask the coaches and the people I've worked with before," Mallett said. His demeanor might not be for everyone, but Mallett challenges critics of his game and doesn't apologize for his confidence. When asked about critics who say he's not accurate enough, Mallett counters with: "7,000 plus yards and 60 touchdowns in two seasons, that's how I respond to that." And analysts who say he carries himself with too much swagger? "I don't know about a swagger. I feel like I have confidence in myself and teams see that," he said. "Some people don't like my confidence. But I can't do nothing about it." While rumors and critics have been hammering away at Mallett's personality during the pre-draft process, the numbers don't lie. He set or tied 43 school records at Arkansas, and his average of 29.6 yards per touchdown pass is the highest in SEC history. He also left as the conference's active leader with 7,493 career passing yards, 7,141 career total offense yards, 68 touchdowns responsible for and 62 passing touchdowns. Combined with experience in a pro-style offense, and Mallett is one of the bigger risk/reward quarterbacks in this class. "For me, my strength as a person, as a quarterback is my mental game, knowing defenses and recognizing and knowing what they're going to do on third down and distance," he said.

setup/release

Takes most of his snaps out of the shotgun, though he has shown the ability to drop back from center. Gains depth due to the length of his gait rather than foot quickness. Though his long arm makes for an awkward-looking windup, Mallett possesses a fluid, over-the-top release that generates momentum, resulting in the ball exploding out of his hand. Steps into his throws when he has room in the pocket, but loses accuracy when forced to rely solely on his arm.

reading defenses

Excellent height to see over the top of his linemen and read defenses. Good field vision, showing the ability to check down from his first and second options to drop passes off to outlet receivers. Flashes the ability to look off the safety, but most do this more consistently. Generally reads the blitz coming and can make defenses pay for their aggression by hitting the hot route, but doesn't possess the athleticism to escape the pocket when he is surprised.

arm strength

Mallett's greatest trait. Possesses as strong an arm as there is in the country. Can fit the ball through closing windows, making him capable of completing throws most cannot. Drives the ball on the deep out and can zip the back shoulder throw against tight coverage. Has a tendency to get overly confident with his arm and will attempt to make ill-advised throws into coverage. Has learned to take some speed off when needed.

intangibles

Some have concerns over his maturity level. Has a brash personality that has caused some to question whether he possesses the leadership to handle an NFL huddle. Was never voted a team captain with the Razorbacks despite the fact that quarterbacks are often pushed by coaching staffs as such. Very confident in his own talent and early in his career wasn't known for his dedication to the film room. Arrested for public intoxication on March 1, 2009, in Fayetteville.

on the move

Can slide laterally to avoid the rush. Improved significantly as a junior in stepping up in the pocket to buy time. Willing to take a big hit to complete the pass. Has heavy feet and long legs, however, causing him to take longer than most to set his feet and throw accurately when forced to vacate the pocket. Threw critical interceptions late against Alabama and Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl when this occurred. Willing to tuck the ball and run when he's given a free lane and has exhausted his throwing options, but is no danger to consistently gain yardage as a scrambler. Doesn't get low enough or show more than average leg drive for the QB sneak.

compares to

Derek Anderson, Cardinals -- No one questions Mallett's ability to throw a football; he's the most talented pure passer in this draft. But he's tall and lanky and lacks any real mobility. If protected by a strong offensive line, he could turn out to be more like Drew Bledsoe or Joe Flacco.

accuracy

Flashes very good accuracy on short and intermediate throws. Consistently hits the receiver in stride on crossing routes, slants and post patterns. Shows good touch and ball placement for the fade route. Throws with a flat trajectory on deep routes, showing only moderate accuracy on deep throws overall. Can make the "wow" throw and there isn't an NFL route he can't hit. Accuracy nosedives, however, when he is forced to move his feet, as his long legs prevent him from re-setting quickly and he throws with just his arm. When his feet aren't set, Mallett whips the ball, leading to passes sailing high and others diving low, making his throws difficult for receivers to predict or track and set up for yardage after the catch.

Combine: 24-inch vertical; 8'7" broad jump; chose not to run 40-yard dash, 3-cone drill or short shuttle. Pro Day: 5.37 40-yard dash; 26-inch vertical; 8'7" broad jump.

Attended Texas High School (2006) coached by Barry Norton

led high school to the start quarterfinals in 2006

Key Statistics

completed 526-of-938 passes for 8,331 yards and 76 touchdowns with 24 interceptions during career

set school records by completing 204-of-321 passes for 3,353 yards and 33 touchdowns as a senior

completed 133 passes for 2,219 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing for six more scores as a junior

ran for seven TDs while completing 151 passes for 2,307 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore

Honors and Rankings

rated the No. 2 quarterback in the nation and a five-star prospect by Scout.com and Rivals.com

No. 4 overall player nationally according to Rivals.com

ranked as the No. 5 player in the nation by Scout.com

rated as the No. 1 player in the state of Texas by Rivals.com

tabbed by G&W Recruiting Report as the No. 9 player on its national Top 50 offense and No. 2 player in its Big 12 region

listed as the No. 12 player in the nation on The ESPN 150

selected as the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Texas

named to the 2006 All-USA second-team by USA Today

selected to the EA Sports first-team All-America Multi-Purpose team in 2006

rated as the No. 3 quarterback in the nation in the Velocity-PrepStar Top 250 and a member of the PrepStar-Velocity 100 Dream Team

named to the Parade Magazine All-America team

2006 Player of the Year by the Texarkana Gazette

voted as the Associated Press' Class 4A Offensive Player of the Year

rated as the No. 1 quarterback in the state of Texas by the Dallas Morning News

voted as the Texas Prep X-tra's All-East Texas first-team quarterback and the time Warner Texas High School Player of the Year

received the U.S. Army All-American Glen Davis Award (Academic All-American Scholarship Athlete Award)

was the Team Texas Offensive MVP in Class 4A Region 2 and the Kirk Herbstreit Challenge MVP

participated in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Ryan Mallett was born June 5, 1988 in Texarkana, Texas

attended the 2005 and 2006 Michigan Summer Football Camp

attended the Elite 11 Quarterback Camp twice

has thrown a football 87 yards

enrolled in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts

undeclared major.