New details around Ryan Mallett's death shared by Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office

Former Arkansas, Michigan and NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett died on Tuesday after drowning off the shores of Destin, Florida, according to local authorities. Mallett was 35.

Mallett 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.

Shortly after sharing this information, the sheriff’s account tweeted that they had identified the deceased as Mallett.

“We send our heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends, and loved ones in his tragic passing,” the tweet said.

Arkansas football and athletic director Hunter Yurachek offered their condolences

The football program released a statement via Twitter, calling Mallett a “legend” of the program before sending out thoughts to the quarterback’s entire family.

“We are shocked and saddened by the passing of Ryan Mallett,” the statement said. “He was a Razorback legend with larger-than-life talent and a personality to match. He led our program to some of our best moments in recent memory. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his mother Debbie and his extended family.”

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 he touched.

“Our [Arkansas football] family lost an incredibly special person today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and teammates of Ryan Mallett. #OneRazorback,” Yurachek said.

The New England Patriots issued a statement on the passing of Mallett, who was drafted by the franchise in 2011.

“The New England Patriots are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of former quarterback Ryan Mallett,” the statement read. “Our thoughts are with the Mallett family, his former teammates and all who are mourning his loss.”

The Patriots selected Mallett in the third-round (74th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Arkansas.

One of the top high school quarterback prospects in the nation in the 2007 signing class, Mallett chose to sign with Michigan out of Texas High School in Texarkana, Texas. The Batesville, Arkansas, native returned to his home state after one season in Ann Arbor. After redshirting the 2008 season, he started for the Razorbacks in 2009 and ’10.