Ryan Mallett Heads for UMich. Wolverines

By Jeff Flinn, NFLHS.com

The comfort level was there, the opportunity was there, the offer was there ... and now Ryan Mallett is there.

Mallett, the Texarkana, Texas quarterback phenom, who put on a show during several post-season all-star competitions this year, has been walking the halls of Michigan since Jan. 8, living out a promise and commitment he made in April 2006 - to play for coach Lloyd Carr and the Wolverines.

"I made the decision in late April, because I felt like I was ready at that time, so I pulled the trigger," Mallett said, choosing to travel a thousand miles from home rather than stay and play for the Texas Longhorns and coach Mack Brown.

Mallett, who stands 6'7" and weighs in at 250, brings an impressive resume, having thrown for more than 7,500 yards in his high school career, including 3,353 yards and 31 touchdowns in his senior campaign.

College scouts say Mallett has the skills to be a big-time quarterback in college, and is just now starting to find his game and his potential. His practice and performance at the recent U.S. Army All-American Game went far in convincing many that his upside is tremendous.

In the Jan. 6 all-star game in San Antonio, Mallet hit 6 of 9 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown, leading the victorious West squad on three scoring drives. He showed greater mobility than he's typically known for, picking up 5 yards and a first down inside the 20 on a touchdown drive, and twice eluding a big rush in order to pick up yards and complete a pass for positive yardage.

Some attributes Mallett possesses that make his play so attractive include a cannon for an arm, an uncanny ability to read defenses, and a smooth delivery that makes him as efficient in the short passing game as he is going downfield. And, as he showed briefly in all-star game practices, he can boom punts in excess of 40 yards on a regular basis.

Mallett, who attended two Michigan summer camps prior to his January arrival, credits "the team" at every turn, in every opportunity, and with nearly every spoken word.

"I help my teammates out, and I try to be a leader on and off the field," he said. "They know if they need some help, with anything, they know they can call me any time of the night and day. And that's the way it should be."

When Mallett arrives, he'll find Michigan's Chad Henne in his fourth year as a Wolverine starter, having opted to return and play out his senior year. What impact will that have on Mallett's future?

"I'll redshirt if I have to, but I'd rather be there and compete for the back-up role. But I'll do whatever's best for the team. The coaching staff will know that better than I will," he said.

Mallett didn't hesitate when speaking of playing in a high school all-star game one day, and being a college student the next.

"I've been in my house for 18 years, and I'm ready to experience something new and it's going to be fun," he said, adding, "I'm going to take care of my business and do what I'm supposed to do and just have fun."

Story courtesy Red Line Editorial, Inc.