University of Michigan football players Adrian Arrington, Mario Manningham and Ryan Mallett haven't said if they will - or will not - play for the Wolverines next season.
But new Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez doesn't seem to be counting on any of them judging by his comments Tuesday afternoon on Jim Rome's syndicated radio show, aired locally on WDFN-AM (1130).
Rodriguez said he expects starting wideouts Arrington and Manningham - who combined for 139 receptions, 2,056 yards and 20 touchdowns last season - to go pro rather than return as seniors.
"I've talked to Adrian since the bowl game a little bit and I think he's leaning toward coming out, but I don't think he's made the announcement yet," Rodriguez said. "I have not seen Mario. I don't think he's back in Ann Arbor yet, so indications are he may be coming out, as well."
According to NFL guidelines, underclassmen have until Jan. 15 to declare for the draft. There is no such timetable for Mallett, a freshman. As the backup to senior quarterback Chad Henne in 2007, Mallett completed 61 of 141 passes for 892 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions.
Although the 6-foot, 7-inch Mallett is considered a dropback passer, Rodriguez said he tried to explain to Mallett that he could flourish in the spread offense that new coach will implement. Perhaps Mallett thought otherwise.
"I believe (Mallett) is going to transfer," Rodriguez said. "He has not told me specifically, but he's told other folks in the program ... If he chooses to leave, he can make a choice he thinks is best for him and we'll be OK."
Without Mallett, there is no obvious successor to Henne on the roster. The team's two other scholarship quarterbacks - David Cone and Steven Threet - have thrown a single college pass between them.
But there is the possibility of finding a new quarterback, maybe the top prep quarterback in the country, via the next recruiting class. Pennsylvania's Terrelle Pryor, voted the MVP of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio last weekend, is considering Michigan and Ohio State.
http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/inde...ington_ma.html