Ryan Mallett, the former Michigan quarterback who played during Lloyd Carr’s final season in Ann Arbor, has reportedly died following a tragic drowning in Florida.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed reports Tuesday that Mallett, 35, drowned while swimming in the Gulf of Mexico near Destin, Fla., in the afternoon.
“A group of people in the water near the second sandbar had reportedly been struggling to make their way back to shore,” according to the sheriff’s office. “One of the individuals, an adult male, went under and lifeguards say he was not breathing when pulled out.”
DeltaPlex News was first to report the sad news on Tuesday. Mallett was pronounced dead soon after arrival at a nearby hospital.
Mallett played one season at Michigan, where he appeared in 11 games and started three during his freshman season in 2007. He largely filled in for the injured Chad Henne, and is perhaps best known for leading the Wolverines to a 38-0 victory over Notre Dame.
The quarterback opted to transfer following Carr’s retirement, when his drop-back, pocket-passing style of play proved to be unfit for new coach Rich Rodriguez and the spread offense he brought to Michigan.
After redshirting his sophomore year, Mallett went on to throw for more than 7,500 yards and 69 touchdowns in two seasons at Arkansas. He was a two-time second-team All-SEC selection, and elected to forego his final year of eligibility for the NFL draft.
Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek acknowledged Mallett’s death on Tuesday, writing on social media that the school’s football program “lost an incredibly special person today.”
The Batesville, Ark., native played seven seasons in the NFL, appearing in 21 games (with eight starts) for the New England Patriots, Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens. He retired following the 2017 season.
Mallett was named head coach of the varsity football team at White Hall High School in February 2022, a role he still held at the time of his death. The district’s superintendent, Gary Williams, confirmed the death to MLive late Tuesday.
“It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Coach Ryan Mallett,” Williams wrote in an email. “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.”
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