QB Ryan Mallett's father: `We haven't made a decision yet'

1/14/2008 6:16 PM

By LARRY LAGE
AP Sports Writer

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - Former Michigan quarterback Ryan Mallett is still deciding where to resume his college football career.

``We haven't made a decision yet, but everybody and their dog is saying my son has done this or that,'' Jim Mallett said Monday in an interview with The Associated Press. ``I can tell you, we visited Arkansas and we've talked to Texas A&M and Tennessee. But we're not sure what is going on at Tennessee because they hired an offensive coordinator that has run the spread. I can also tell you we considered UCLA, but just decided that's too far away.''

Arkansas, on the other hand, is close to Texarkana, Texas, where Mallett played high school football. Arkansas compliance director Marvin Caston said the school has received permission from Michigan to talk to Mallett - but he stopped short of saying any transfer process was complete.

``That's where we are,'' Caston said. ``I can't confirm whether or not he's enrolled.''

Mallett's father said last week, shortly after it became clear his son was leaving Michigan, that it was a good possibility his son would transfer to Tennessee if the school hired former Michigan offensive coordinator Mike DeBord and quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler, both of whom were considered for jobs.

The Volunteers chose former Richmond coach Dave Clawson to run their offense. He used more of a spread scheme behind quarterback Stacy Tutt in 2004 and '05 before using more traditional schemes the past two seasons.

Mallett's stint at Michigan ended shortly after the school hired Rich Rodriguez last month to succeed retiring coach Lloyd Carr because the former West Virginia coach plans to have his spread offense led by a mobile quarterback.

The 6-foot-7, 252-pound Mallett has a strong arm and is best suited for a pro-style offense.

He played in 11 games last season as a freshman, filling in for Chad Henne when he was injured. Mallett was 61-of-141 for 892 yards with seven touchdown passes and five interceptions.

Mallett threw for more than 2,500 yards and 27 scores as a senior at Texarkana High School, where he was a three-year starter and earned Texas Class 4A offensive player of the year honors.

After sitting out next season, he will have three years of eligibility.