Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek confirms passing of Ryan Mallett, sends heartfelt message

The Arkansas Razorbacks lost a member of their athletic family on Tuesday after the untimely passing of former star quarterback Ryan Mallett. Following the initial news, Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek confirmed Mallett’s death from his personal social media account along with a heartfelt message to his family, friends and all the lives that Mallett touched.

“Our @RazorbackFB family lost an incredibly special person today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and teammates of Ryan Mallett. #OneRazorback,” wrote Yurachek via Twitter.

Mallett, 35, reportedly drowned on Tuesday at a beach in Destin, FL. He and a group of others were swimming in the Gulf of Mexico offshore from Gulf Shore Drive when they began struggling, according to a tweet from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Mallett was seen going under the water at that point.

By the time he was rescued and brought to shore, he was not breathing, and live-saving attempts as resuscitation weren’t successful, according to the first responders.

He may have started his college career in Michigan as a Wolverine, but he was a star and a standout for the Razorbacks. He transferred to Arkansas in 2008 after one season in Michigan. After redshirting in his first season at Arkansas, he would become the Razorbacks starting quarterback for the 2009 and 2010 campaigns. Over those two seasons, Mallett would pass for 7,493 yards, 62 touchdowns, 19 interceptions, and complete 60.3 percent of his past attempts.

Mallett after leaving Arkansas

After his college career, Mallett entered the 2011 NFL Draft. The New England Patriots selected him with the 74th overall pick in the third round of the draft.

Mallett played three seasons in New England as a backup before signing with the Houston Texans, where he played the 2014 and part of the 2015 season. He signed with the Baltimore Ravens during the 2015 season after being released by the Texans, and stayed in Baltimore through 2017.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazzette’s Adam Cole reported Mallett was named the head coach for White Hall High School in Arkansas in 2022. Mallett previously served as the offensive coordinator at Mountain Home (Ark.) High School.

He took over a White Hall team that went 11-3 the previous year and finished as state runners-up with a loss to Pulaski Academy in the state title game. He replaced Bobby Bolding, who resigned after the 2021 season but remained at the school as athletic director.