Burt
04-26-2006, 06:41 PM
http://texarkanagazette.com/articles/2006/04/26/local_news/sports/sports01.txt
It didn’t come with the bells and whistles that were part of Jimmy Clausen’s commitment to Notre Dame last week, but Ryan Mallett’s announcement Tuesday that he will attend the University of Michigan will probably draw close to the same national attention.
While Clausen, the top junior quarterback on most rating services, reportedly arrived in South Bend via stretch limousine and verbally committed to the Irish in the hallowed halls of the College Football Hall of Fame, Mallett’s decision was made known to the media in a press conference held at the office of Texas High coach Barry Norton.
“That’s just not me,” Mallett said of Clausen’s gaudy introduction. “I don’t like all the lights, camera and action stuff.”
What he does like is Michigan’s program, which he said has groomed a quarterback for the National Football League every year since 1986.
“The NFL is the ultimate goal of any football player who plays in college,” the 6-6, 240-pound Mallett said. “That’s my goal.”
Mallett’s decision probably didn’t come as much of a surprise to folks who have followed his Texas High athletic career. Although literally dozens of Division I universities have made pitches for the strong-armed passer, Michigan has been more of a personal presence. Quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler has been a regular visitor to the THS campus and head coach Lloyd Carr watched one of Mallett’s basketball games at Tiger Center.
But it was only last Saturday that Mallett made up his mind to make Ann Arbor his home for the next four or five years.
“I was talking to my parents in the car driving back from the Elite 11 tryout camp at Texas A&M, and we just came up with the decision,” he said. “They helped me look at different kinds of things and helped me make a good choice.”
Michigan won out over three other finalists—Alabama, Florida State and Oklahoma, none of which Mallett visited.
Michigan won out over three other finalists—Alabama, Florida State and Oklahoma, none of which Mallett visited.
“I had planned on actually visiting them this summer, but after we started talking about it, there was really no need to,” he said. “I’ve liked Michigan the whole time after I went to a football camp up there. They were one of the first schools to start recruiting me, and I really had a great time when I went up there. They recruited me pretty good, more than anyone else, and that just reassured me they really wanted me to come.”
Norton said he feels Mallett made a good choice.
“Ryan’s everything they’re looking for. I think their program will fit him and he will fit their program,” he said. “He’s got the size and the ability to be a drop-back passer, and that’s what attracted Michigan to Ryan.”
Mallett, who has thrown for more than 4,500 yards during his two seasons as a fulltime starter, said nothing in the way of playing time has been promised him by the Wolverines staff.
“If (junior) Chad Henne stays after next season, I’ll probably redshirt,” Mallett said. “He’s really good. But if he decides to go to the NFL early, then I’ll have a chance to compete for the job. They run a pro-style offense, which is pretty much the same thing we do here. It’s different verbage, but p;retty much the same concept. Still, playing as a true freshmen would be a hard thing, but Henne did it, so I know it’s possible.”
Mallett, currently competing in spring training drills with the Tigers, said making his commitment frees him to concentrate on his goal of leading Texas High to a state championship.
“I haven’t been under that much pressure (to commit), but it feels like a lot of weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” he said. “I don’t have to worry about all the recruiting stuffy anymore because I know now where I want to go. That’s the thing—I don’t have to think about this option or that. I can just concentrate on being a high school student playing for Texas High and trying to win a state championship.”
Norton has no doubts that Mallett will succeed at the next level.
“I’ve seen a lot of college players and been to thousands of practices, and I’ve never seen better arm strength as Ryan has,” he said. “He has all the talent in the world. God’s blessed him with great strength and size. He’s so big, so physically imposing at times that people overlook how good he is at understanding the game and making good decisions on the field.”
Starting in 2007, he will perhaps make those decisions for the Maize and Blue, but this fall he’s honed in on leading Texas High to a state title.
“My main goal for this year is to go undefeated, win state and get another big ring,” he said.
It didn’t come with the bells and whistles that were part of Jimmy Clausen’s commitment to Notre Dame last week, but Ryan Mallett’s announcement Tuesday that he will attend the University of Michigan will probably draw close to the same national attention.
While Clausen, the top junior quarterback on most rating services, reportedly arrived in South Bend via stretch limousine and verbally committed to the Irish in the hallowed halls of the College Football Hall of Fame, Mallett’s decision was made known to the media in a press conference held at the office of Texas High coach Barry Norton.
“That’s just not me,” Mallett said of Clausen’s gaudy introduction. “I don’t like all the lights, camera and action stuff.”
What he does like is Michigan’s program, which he said has groomed a quarterback for the National Football League every year since 1986.
“The NFL is the ultimate goal of any football player who plays in college,” the 6-6, 240-pound Mallett said. “That’s my goal.”
Mallett’s decision probably didn’t come as much of a surprise to folks who have followed his Texas High athletic career. Although literally dozens of Division I universities have made pitches for the strong-armed passer, Michigan has been more of a personal presence. Quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler has been a regular visitor to the THS campus and head coach Lloyd Carr watched one of Mallett’s basketball games at Tiger Center.
But it was only last Saturday that Mallett made up his mind to make Ann Arbor his home for the next four or five years.
“I was talking to my parents in the car driving back from the Elite 11 tryout camp at Texas A&M, and we just came up with the decision,” he said. “They helped me look at different kinds of things and helped me make a good choice.”
Michigan won out over three other finalists—Alabama, Florida State and Oklahoma, none of which Mallett visited.
Michigan won out over three other finalists—Alabama, Florida State and Oklahoma, none of which Mallett visited.
“I had planned on actually visiting them this summer, but after we started talking about it, there was really no need to,” he said. “I’ve liked Michigan the whole time after I went to a football camp up there. They were one of the first schools to start recruiting me, and I really had a great time when I went up there. They recruited me pretty good, more than anyone else, and that just reassured me they really wanted me to come.”
Norton said he feels Mallett made a good choice.
“Ryan’s everything they’re looking for. I think their program will fit him and he will fit their program,” he said. “He’s got the size and the ability to be a drop-back passer, and that’s what attracted Michigan to Ryan.”
Mallett, who has thrown for more than 4,500 yards during his two seasons as a fulltime starter, said nothing in the way of playing time has been promised him by the Wolverines staff.
“If (junior) Chad Henne stays after next season, I’ll probably redshirt,” Mallett said. “He’s really good. But if he decides to go to the NFL early, then I’ll have a chance to compete for the job. They run a pro-style offense, which is pretty much the same thing we do here. It’s different verbage, but p;retty much the same concept. Still, playing as a true freshmen would be a hard thing, but Henne did it, so I know it’s possible.”
Mallett, currently competing in spring training drills with the Tigers, said making his commitment frees him to concentrate on his goal of leading Texas High to a state championship.
“I haven’t been under that much pressure (to commit), but it feels like a lot of weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” he said. “I don’t have to worry about all the recruiting stuffy anymore because I know now where I want to go. That’s the thing—I don’t have to think about this option or that. I can just concentrate on being a high school student playing for Texas High and trying to win a state championship.”
Norton has no doubts that Mallett will succeed at the next level.
“I’ve seen a lot of college players and been to thousands of practices, and I’ve never seen better arm strength as Ryan has,” he said. “He has all the talent in the world. God’s blessed him with great strength and size. He’s so big, so physically imposing at times that people overlook how good he is at understanding the game and making good decisions on the field.”
Starting in 2007, he will perhaps make those decisions for the Maize and Blue, but this fall he’s honed in on leading Texas High to a state title.
“My main goal for this year is to go undefeated, win state and get another big ring,” he said.