ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Ryan Mallett has left the Michigan football program, and the quarterback might be reunited with his
offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Tennessee.
"He's on his way home," his father, Jim Mallett told, The Associated Press
on Wednesday. "We don't know where he's going to go yet, but we
need to do something quick. We're going to visit three, four or
five schools."
The former Texas Class 4A offensive player of the year may end
up at Tennessee, which is considering hiring former Michigan
offensive coordinator Mike DeBord and quarterbacks coach Scott
Loeffler.
"If they're hired, that would be a real good possibility," Jim
Mallett said. "Ryan really clicked with both coach DeBord and
coach Loeffler during the last couple months of the season and
during bowl practices, I've never seen Ryan throw the ball or read
defenses as well as he did."
The Wolverines also lost another offensive player when wide
receiver Adrian Arrington declared for the NFL draft. He caught 67
passes for 882 yards and eight touchdowns this season.
"Today is a very emotional day for me," Arrington said in a
statement released by the school on Wednesday. "As much as I will
miss my teammates, friends and Michigan football family, I have
always dreamed about playing in the NFL.
"I believe that I am ready to take on this challenge and move
on to the next level. Though I will be catching passes in another
city starting next fall, I will always be a Michigan man."
Rich Rodriguez said Tuesday night he did not expect to coach
Mallett, Arrington or wide receiver Mario Manningham at Michigan.
Rodriguez said Arrington and Manningham would skip their senior
seasons.
Manningham might be a first-round pick after catching 72 passes
for 1,174 yards and 12 touchdowns and running 19 times for 119
yards and a score this season.
Mallett said his son also will consider transferring to Texas
A&M, Arkansas and UCLA among other schools. After sitting out next
season, he will have three years of eligibility.
"Several schools have called and we're still open-minded about
any program that runs a pro-style offense," he said. "He's going
to enroll this semester, so we've got to get moving."
Mallett played in 11 games as a freshman, filling in for Chad
Henne when he was injured. He was 61-of-141 for 892 yards with
seven touchdown passes and five interceptions.
As soon as Lloyd Carr retired and Rodriguez was hired, Mallett's
days seemed to be numbered because of Rodriguez's spread offense
that has featured mobile quarterbacks.
"It just wasn't a fit and yet, it was a hard decision," Jim
Mallett said. "When he came home for Christmas, he told me and my
wife that he really was falling in love with being at Michigan.
"Ryan wants to thank coach Carr, his staff and all the players
for helping him have a great experience the past year."