NCAA denies Mallett’s appeal
The UA Sports Information Department announced today that transfer quarterback Ryan Mallett will not be eligible for the 2008 football season.
Mallett took part in spring practices early on, but suffered a thumb injury that kept him out of the Red-White game last week.
Here’s the UA press release:
The NCAA has denied an appeal filed by the University of Arkansas on behalf of football student-athlete Ryan Mallett seeking a waiver to grant eligibility for competition in the 2008 season after transferring from the University of Michigan.
“I am disappointed that the NCAA has declined to grant a waiver in my case,” Mallett said. “My family and I were hopeful that I would be eligible to play for the University Arkansas in the upcoming season. For now, I will focus on finishing up the semester academically, rehabilitating my (thumb) injury and getting prepared for pre-season camp. I look forward to taking the field for the Razorbacks when I have that opportunity.”
Per the NCAA’s residence requirement (4.5.1), Mallett will be required to spend one full academic year of residence at Arkansas before being eligible to play for the Razorbacks. The Texarkana, Texas, native will practice, but will not be eligible for competition in the 2008 season. Mallett played as a true freshman in 2007 at Michigan before transferring to Arkansas in January of 2008. Mallett will have three years of eligibility remaining following the 2008 season.
“As an institution and a football program we felt it was very important to offer our support and assistance to Ryan and his family in their appeal process,” Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino said. “Ryan and his family understood from the beginning that precedent did not suggest that the NCAA was likely to grant the appeal. Now that the final decision has been made, we will move forward and use the upcoming year as an opportunity for Ryan to grow as a student, a quarterback and as a person. We are happy to have him as part of the Razorback program.”
6 Responses to “NCAA denies Mallett’s appeal”
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Its not like its a big surprise that he was not granted eligibility. I believe he will be a big asset to us in the upcoming years but for this year we have to sit back and watch casey dick drive the arkansas football team up and down the field.
NOPE..
none at all…
The NCAA would have opened a floodgate of precedent had they made Mallett eligible. In the meantime, you have to think he will lend his guidance and expertise to Dick, Mortensen, et al., if asked.
Garrick McGee would be a fool not to use him as an unpaid assistant in the interim between now and when he’s legal to take snaps.
Okay, regardless, Casey has earned the starting nod and will set the world on fire next year - if he can stay healthy. In my opinion, Ryan Mallett’s time will come, and he eventually should be a major stud in BP’s offensive scheme. GO HOGS!
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