Sporting News features Mallett

University of Arkansas junior Ryan Mallett has been selected by Sporting News as the preseason favorite to win the prestigious Davey O’Brien award, which is presented annually to the top quarterback in college football. Mallett appears in the latest issue of the magazine, which was released Sunday and is available on newsstands now. Mallett was chosen ahead of Kellen Moore (Boise State), Case Keenum (Houston), Terrelle Pryor (Ohio State), Jake Locker (Washington) and Andrew Luck (Stanford). Mallett and teammate D.J. Williams were interviewed by Dave Curtis for the piece as was Mississippi State linebacker K.J. Wright. Mallett was photographed for the issue by Jay Drowns. In 2009, Mallett set or tied 16 different school records. In his first season in the SEC, Mallett led the league in touchdown passes (30), passing yards per game (278.8) and total offense per game (276.5). He was the only player in the SEC to throw five-or-more touchdown passes in three different games. He also led the league in 400-yard passing performances with two and 300-yard passing performances with five. He led the nation in pass efficiency in home games (191.87) and was tops in the country in completions of 25-or-more yards with 44. In addition, he led the SEC in passes of 50-or-more yards (10) and passes of 15-or-more yards (89).