Former Michigan Quarterback Ryan Mallett Dies In Drowning Accident

Former Michigan and Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett died in a drowning accident in Florida.

Former NFL, Arkansas and Michigan quarterback Ryan Mallett died Tuesday in a drowning accident off a Florida Panhandle beach, a county sheriff’s office said via CNN. 

It's being reported that Mallett was swimming when he started to struggle to make it to shore due to rip currents. When he was finally pulled out of the water he was not breathing and he was pronounced dead at the hospital. He was just 35 years old.

Mallett was one of the first major, five-star recruiting gets for Michigan as recruiting services really started to become mainstream and an everyday part of college football. The 6-7 quarterback possessed a massive arm and was very coveted when he committed to Lloyd Carr and the Wolverines. When Rich Rodriguez took over and planned to implement a much smaller, much more athletic type of quarterback, Mallett transferred to Arkansas. While with the Razorbacks, Mallett compiled 7,493 yards and 62 touchdowns against just 19 interceptions. He was ultimately drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. All told, Mallett played in 21 NFL games, went 3-5 as a starter and compiled 1,835 passing yards, nine touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. He also played for the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens. Tom Brady took to Instagram to share his thoughts and feelings about his former teammate.

"We lost a great man. Thank you for everything Ryan,” Brady wrote. “Praying for the Mallett family and all their loved ones tonight.”

With his playing days behind him, Mallett had settled in as a coach and educator. He was the head football coach for the White Hall High School Bulldogs in White Hall, Arkansas, where he also taught physical education and health.