Arkansas Razorbacks to honor Alex Collins and Ryan Mallett throughout 2023
It was a tough offseason for the Arkansas Razorbacks as it related to the loss of two prominent alumni.
Quarterback Ryan Mallett, who played at Arkansas in 2009 and 2010, died tragically in a drowning accident at 35 years old. Less than two months later, former Arkansas running back Alex Collins passed away at just 28 years old as the result of a motorcycle accident. Collins was at Arkansas from 2013 to 2015.
Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek announced on Tuesday that the Razorbacks will honor their former players with their initials painted on the field at Frank Broyles Field.
Collins wore No. 3, so his initials will be on the three-yard lines. Mallett was No. 15, so his will be on the 15-yeard lines. The initials will be exclusive to the home sideline throughout 2023.
It's a wonderful way to remember two Arkansas football legends.
Mallett started his career at Michigan but he excelled after transferring to Arkansas. He threw for 7,493 yards and 62 touchdowns in two seasons while also rushing for six touchdowns as a Razorback. He was drafted in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots and had a solid six-season career as a backup in the NFL.
Collins rushed 665 times in three seasons for 3,703 yards and 36 touchdowns. His junior season saw him rush for 1,577 of those yards and 20 of those touchdowns in what was truly a special campaign. Collins was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft and he spent five seasons in the league.
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