Trying for Mallett in 2008
Tom Murphy of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that the University of Arkansas isn’t content to wait until the 2009 football season for Michigan transfer Ryan Mallett to become eligible to play.
And Nate Allen writes for the Northwest Arkansas Times that two UA football seniors have quit the team as they prepare to graduate.
UPDATE: The following is a statement from Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long regarding the intentions of the University of Arkansas on filing a waiver on behalf of football student-athlete Ryan Mallett to seek eligibility for competition in 2008.
“In the coming weeks, the University of Arkansas intends to file a waiver to the NCAA staff requesting that the year in residence requirement for transfer Ryan Mallett be waived and that he be granted eligibility for competition beginning in 2008. After visiting with Ryan and his parents, we feel that it is appropriate to file a waiver in this case based on extenuating circumstances. 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.”
Wishful Thinking, but Nice Try!
Has this ever happened before??? And if so what were the”"extenuating circumstances. I was NEVER a fan of the Springdale FOUR, and what they did to the University of Arkansas. They should all be ashamed of their selfish ways (esp. the parents WHAT A GOOD EXAMPLE YOU GAVE YOUR CHILDREN, ME FIRST EVERYTHING ELSE ESP. TEAM SECOND) after all it WAS just high school football, but if a student athlete has to sit out then he/she has to sit out. RYAN: Thanks for choosing Arkansas, I know you will be happy here, and I wish you all the success life has to offer. Good luck young man, A’s in school and A’s on the field!!!
I believe the NCAA will reject the waiver request as an exception for Mallett would open the flood gates whenever a coaching change occurs. I do, however, think that coaching changes adversely effect a young athlete’s career and that the athlete has a good argument for a waiver of the residence requirement. When will the Springdale bashing cease? I love the Razorbacks but that does not cause me to be blind to problems in the program. Mustain and Williams came to the U of A after Malzahn was hired as the offensive coordinator. I’m assuming the promise of an offensive system change was the reason for their signing. As a freshman faced with three more years in a system different than your expectations why not transfer. Whereas we applaud Mallett for coming to Arkansas why should we continue to castigate Mustain and Williams for doing what’s right for them. Things might have been different for them if their crystal balls had forecast a significant change in the football program.