Reports: Former NFL, Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett dies in drowning at 35

Ryan Mallett reportedly died in a drowning incident near Destin, Florida. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

Former NFL and University of Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett has reportedly died in a drowning incident. He was 35 years old.

Arkansas’ Deltaplex News reported on Tuesday that Mallett was transported after the incident from a beach near Destin, Florida to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Officials with the White Hall School District where Mallett worked confirmed his death to local reporters. Mallett was working as the head football coach at White Hall High School.

Mallett played in college as a freshman at Michigan before transferring to Arkansas, where he played two seasons. He was selected in the third round of the 2011 draft by the New England Patriots. He played seven seasons in the NFL with the Patriots, Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens.

A native of Batesville, Arkansas, Mallett was one of the best high school quarterbacks to ever play in his home state. He committed to play for Michigan and made 11 appearances as a freshman as a backup to Chad Henne. He transferred to Arkansas after the retirement of Michigan coach Lloyd Carr and started as a sophomore and junior with the Razorbacks. He declared for the draft after his junior season to join the NFL.

Mallett played sparingly as a backup to Tom Brady, and the Patriots traded him to the Texans in 2014. He made nine appearances including six starts for the Texas before they released him midseason in 2015. He then signed with the Ravens, where he made eight appearances including two starts through the 2017 season.

He joined White Hall as its football coach in 2022.

Friends, teammates, opponents and organizations from Mallett’s football career reacted to his death on social media.

This is a developing story.