Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

HUMNOKE — As the final few picks were made in the 2011 NFL Draft’s first round, Ryan Mallett passed the time chatting with family and friends.

Mallett spent the end of the first round much like he’d spent the entire day. More than 70 people gathered Thursday at a hunting lodge near Stuttgart to watch the draft and support the record-setting Arkansas quarterback as he waited to hear his name called.

They’ll be back for the second round on Friday, but having so many family and friends around — it felt like more of a family reunion than draft party — seemed to buoy Mallett’s spirits. He expressed mild disappointment with still being available after 32 picks, but maintained the stance he’d taken since declaring for the draft in January.

“I just want to play ball,” Mallett said. “I’m not disappointed. I mean I’m disappointed, but I have a chance to play in the NFL so I’m not too disappointed. I’m just ready to see where I’m going to be.”

Mallett, who had been projected as a mid-first- to early-second-round pick, will wait a little longer than he’d hoped. He watched as teams picked four quarterbacks in the first round.

Auburn’s Cam Newton went No. 1 overall to Carolina and Missouri’s Blaine Gabbart went No. 10 to Jacksonville. Both were projected to go ahead of Mallett, but there were audible gasps from guests when Tennessee selected Washington’s Jake Locker No. 8 and the Minnesota Vikings drafted Florida State’s Christian Ponder No. 12.

Energy in the 7,800-square foot hunting lodge – already high for much of the night — picked up in the middle of the first round when Miami, Washington and New England picked at Nos. 15, 16 and 17. Those teams passed and New England at No. 28 seemed like a possibility, but the Patriots traded their pick to New Orleans, effectively ending the chances Mallett would go in the first round.

Mallett’s agent J.R. Carroll said Mallett would be ready to play regardless of where he was selected.

“We’re excited about whatever team is going to draft Ryan,” Carroll said. “Ryan is going to work as hard as he can, just like he did at Arkansas, to make that team proud and make the state proud. He just appreciates all the support he’s received from Arkansas tonight. He looks forward to getting on the football field and showing everybody exactly what he did in the SEC.”

Mallett, who threw for 7,493 yards and 62 touchdowns, quickly echoed that sentiment.

“Whatever team is going to be smart enough to pick me, we’re going to make something happen,” he said.

Any anxiety Mallett might have been feeling during the day rarely showed. He arrived at the lodge in the early afternoon and spent nearly five hours fishing and relaxing.