By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee proved that the Razorbacks haven’t finished molding quarterback Ryan Mallett when he sat behind the microphone on Friday afternoon.
When asked about his pupil, who had minutes earlier announced that he was returning to Arkansas instead of entering the NFL Draft, McGee treated the question as if he was breaking down game film of Mallett’s latest performance.
“He did good,” McGee said. “I thought he looked good. He was dressed well. I thought he presented himself very well. And I think the main message that he sent was, he came back to help his teammates win. I think that’s part of what I said all along — that the kid is growing up.”
Arkansas believes Mallett — who sported a suit at the press conference — made a grown-up decision by turning down the opportunity to enter the NFL Draft as a redshirt sophomore and subsequently start collecting a nice paycheck.
Instead, the quarterback made it clear he wanted to come back to school, improve his overall skills on the field, continue to mature off of it, and help the Razorbacks reach new heights in coach Bobby Petrino’s third season on campus.
It’s a move Mallett said wasn’t as difficult as it appeared despite swirling rumors from each direction the past few days. Sure, he entertained thoughts of going pro, but knew which way he was leaning after Arkansas’ win in the Liberty Bowl.
Just to be sure, Mallett said he “got away” for a couple of days to clear his head. He went to an undisclosed location and pondered his options.
“I talked to my parents after the game,” Mallett said. “Talked to the coaches. And decided I wanted to be here. It’s where I need to be.
“I got another year to grow and mature on and off the field and it’s a great community that’s surrounding me. And we’re excited.”
McGee believes Mallett’s demeanor during the process speaks volumes about how far he has come in his two seasons on campus. There’s no doubt the quarterback possesses all the raw skills that are enticing at the next level, but maturity had been an issue at times. He said it has improved.
Mallett’s mother, Debbie Mallett, agreed, saying she has watched her son grow up so much in the two years since transferring home from Michigan.
“I think he’s come a long way,” said Debbie Mallett, who had hoped her son would come back to Arkansas. “I think he’s come a really, really long way. … He’s made some mistakes and he’s going to make some more mistakes because none of us are perfect. But he has grown up a lot.”
Mallett will need every bit of that maturity as he enters the next phase of his college career.
Instantly, his popularity grew in the state Friday and Mallett has a chance to star on the national scene after his record-setting season.
Arkansas appeared to lay the foundation for a Heisman Trophy campaign Friday, detailing a list of his accomplishments and what others have said of his performance. He also went on a mini-press tour, appearing on ESPN’s College Football Live and ESPN Radio’s “The Pulse” with Doug Gottlieb.
McGee believes the full-court press Mallett received when repeatedly asked about the NFL the past month will help. Mallett knows it will.
“It’s going to be easy for me to handle,” Mallett said of the impending attention he’ll receive. “I’m not 18 years old anymore. I know how to handle it now and I’ve gotten better with the media, with the coaches, everything.”
But Mallett also said that his decision to come back isn’t simply about trying to become a star in college football. Or to simply audition for the NFL. Mallett said he intends to sharpen his skill and continue to develop as a passer and team leader, but also wants more for the Hogs.
“We’re trying to win championships,” he said. “We don’t want to win just eight games, nine games, we want to win 10, 11, 12, go to Atlanta, go to wherever the national championship is.”
In the end, McGee believed that would be the driving force behind Mallett’s decision. He anticipated the quarterback would hold a press conference announcing his plans to return.
There was one moment of uncertainty, though, when he and Petrino caught wind of a report indicating Mallett was leaving. He called Mallett, who assured McGee he was coming back.
McGee grinned when telling the story Friday, saying he wasn’t surprised. All along, he knew the quarterback had matured enough to make a decision that wouldn’t be deemed “selfish.”
“I think the decision for him to take off right now and take the money while it was there, it would’ve been an immature decision,” McGee said.
“He proved that I was right. And that we were right about him: That he is growing up.”
