MEMPHIS — The future of Ryan Mallett continues to be a hot topic in Arkansas, but in Tennessee that’s the furthest thing from the Arkansas quarterback’s mind.
Mallett continued to be asked questions by the media Thursday during a 10-minute press conference about his career as he weighs his options on whether to declare for the NFL draft. He didn’t dodge the questions, but he was upfront with his feelings.
The 6-foot-7 gun-slinger would much rather talk about East Carolina and the upcoming Liberty Bowl on Saturday.
“I’m ready to see a different color uniform on the other side of the ball,” Mallett said. “That's what I'm ready for, and the rest of the guys are too.”
Still, there were plenty of NFL questions for the quarterback who totes gaudy numbers in his redshirt sophomore season. Mallett threw for 3,422 passing yards and 29 touchdowns with 7 interceptions while setting or tying 16 records in his first year as a starter at Arkansas.
“I'm not worried about it right now,” Mallett said of his pending decision. “Everybody keeps asking me, but I'm a guy that just lets it bounce off of me. I've always been like that. When something's not important at the time, I don't let it worry me. What's important right now is the game.”
Mallett submitted paperwork to the NFL Collegiate Advisory Committee earlier this month to gauge his draft status from the independent committee. He still hasn’t received a “draft round grade,” which could weigh on Mallett’s decision on whether to go pro after the bowl game Saturday.
Mallett plans to discuss his future with Coach Bobby Petrino sometime after Saturday.
Mallett has had some of his best practices as a Razorback in the last week, offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said. Petrino gushed when discussing Mallett’s leadership and poise during practice Wednesday.
Mallett and backup Tyler Wilson have prepared heavily for the Liberty Bowl, and even stayed after in a meeting room Thursday to watch more film on East Carolina.
“He’s building up, and he’s at the point where he’s ready to go out there on Saturday and be efficient,” McGee said of Mallett. “I do think he’ll be really excited. We’ve got to get him calmed down. But I expect him to have a really big game.”
Until then, Mallett would like to stay out of the limelight. That means overcoming temptations and late nights on the adjacent Beale Street. As a result, he said, he hasn’t run into many Arkansas fans during his stay at The Peabody hotel this week.
“The only time they really catch me is in the hotel lobby,” Mallett said. “I try not to be out and around, partly because I'm focused on this game and I want my body to be at the peak level. I try to hide away a little bit, because all that stuff doesn't matter right now.
“What matters is that team right there,” Mallett said, pointing to an East Carolina helmet, “... and the Razorbacks.”