Former Arkansas, NFL QB Ryan Mallett dies at 35 - ESPN

Former Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett, who went on to play seven seasons in the NFL, died Tuesday, according to the Arkansas school district where he coached high school football. He was 35.

«It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Coach Ryan Mallett,» White Hall School District said in a statement. «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.»

Mallett began his college career at Michigan before transferring to Arkansas, where he started a combined 26 games in 2009 and 2010. As a redshirt sophomore in 2009 under coach Bobby Petrino, he led the Razorbacks to an 8-5 record and win in the Liberty Bowl, for which he earned Offensive MVP honors.

His best season came in 2010, when he threw for 3,869 yards and 32 touchdowns and earned second-team All-SEC honors for a second straight year. He finished seventh in voting for the 2010 Heisman Trophy.

«Our @RazorbackFB family lost an incredibly special person today,» Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek wrote on Twitter. «Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and teammates of Ryan Mallett. #OneRazorback»

The New England Patriots selected Mallett in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft, at No. 74 overall. Coach Bill Belichick explained at the time that the team could never have enough depth at quarterback, which led to them selecting Mallett as one of Tom Brady's backups.

«We just felt like he was a good player. He's won everywhere he's been — high school, college. He's an impressive guy to talk to,» Belichick said at the time.

Belichick detailed how the Patriots had followed Mallett's college career, starting at