FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas receiver Joe Adams has been kidding around with Ryan Mallett.
The sophomore said he's not the only one. The Razorbacks may be preparing to play East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl, but the locker room is not immune to the topic of the NFL Draft. And Adams said he and his teammates have an opinion on Mallett's future.
"It's a little saying we have," Adams said. "He's good, but he ain't going to the league.'"
Only time will tell if that's the truth. But one thing is certain: Mallett is at least looking into the possibility of leaving after the season ends.
The redshirt sophomore said Tuesday he has filed preliminary paperwork with the NFL Draft Advisory Committee to gauge his status in the 2010 NFL Draft.
The move isn't unusual. Underclassmen typically take advantage of the chance to get feedback on their draft status and Mallett has indicated he would consider his options after the Liberty Bowl on Jan. 2.
Mallett said Tuesday he hasn't received a grade from the advisory committee, yet. When asked what he expected, Mallett said he had no idea. He also didn't indicate what round grade would convince him to stay.
"That's just a preliminary thing that a lot of juniors do," Mallett said. "So I did it just to see what they had to say. But right now we're just focused on East Carolina and the practices this week have been very good. I think we're going to be very prepared."
Mallett has turned in the best season by an Arkansas quarterback in school history. He threw for 3,422 yards with 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions, leading the Hogs to their first bowl under Bobby Petrino.
The possibility that he could be done after one season has generated plenty of buzz around the state this month. Especially after backups Tyler Wilson and Brandon Mitchell earned more work with the first-team offense in Mallett's place last week.
Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino indicated Monday that Mallett was being disciplined for being late for a meeting. Mallett confirmed it a day later.
"I was a little late for a meeting," Mallett said. "Just running behind. I respect his decision and I take that full responsibility of being late.
"It won't happen again. It's just a freak thing."
But Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said Mallett has rebounded the past few practices.
McGee was asked if the NFL Draft has been a distraction for Mallett. He said that isn't the case, indicating that Mallett's work on the practice field since last week has been some of his best.
"I've dealt with Ryan since the first day he's walked in the building," McGee said. "Just to see where he's come, as far as maturity as a young man, I've been really impressed with him. He had a setback. He was mature enough to keep moving and apologize for what he did and get back to practice and get back to work."
Arkansas guard Mitch Petrus said he isn't surprised.
The senior, who will play in his final game against East Carolina, thinks Mallett will earn a first-round grade from the advisory committee. But he doesn't think the decision to go to the NFL or stay at Arkansas is weighing on Mallett this month.
Instead, Petrus believes the quarterback is concerned with making sure he and the Hogs perform in Memphis.
"That's not going to distract us from playing," Petrus said of the NFL talk. "If anything, it's going to make him play better. You want to look good."
Adams, who was one of Mallett's top targets this season, believes the Razorbacks will be ready if the quarterback does decide to leave. He said it's part of football and the Razorbacks have other quarterbacks who will be ready to step in next season if necessary.
But is he really prepared for life without Mallett?
"We've got great quarterbacks here," Adams said. "But I'll be happy if Ryan stays."