Regarding: Another Mountaineer leaving WVU | Michigan Musings

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Another Mountaineer leaving WVU
The offensive exodus continues at West Virginia. First, spread-offense Dali Lama Rich Rodriguez and his staff trundled off to Michigan. Then fullback Owen Schmitt completed his eligibility. Next, receiver Darius Reynaud declared last week he was opting for the NFL. Yesterday, the Mountaineers officially lost their most decorated tailback in school history when Steve Slaton announced that he has decided to skip his senior season and enter April's draft as well. And they also lost their leading candidate for offensive coordinator yesterday when Charlie Taafe stated he was staying in the Canadian Football League.

With all the attention given to this issue, Ryan Mallett has completed his transfer to the University of Arkansas virtually unnoticed. You almost would have had to know it happened first and then try to look for stories about it. I check the Michigan Athletics website pretty frequently, get email updates from SI, and of course check this website. I heard about it first a week ago when a friend sent me a link from ESPN. While everything that has happened at WVU is certainly big news, I still find this disappointing. How does the expected starting QB for next season not only leave school, but also enroll at another D1 program, albeit not a conference opponent, without the bat of an eye? I certainly don't expect Michigan to celebrate this fact, but I thought they'd at least mention it on the web. I really find this disheartening. I'm really glad UM hired Rich Rodriguez, but even though he will probably take the football program in another direction, at least offensively, I wish Big Tex would have stuck with the team. I think we all know what Ryan was thinking...that he wouldn't fit in the new game plan. He's a tall guy, got a decent arm, is more mobile than Chad Henne was, and he's still young. I don't think it would have been impossible for him to adapt. I guess it would have been nice to see him stay, but he obviously wasn't totally committed to the Michigan program so maybe this is for the best.

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January 16, 2008 04:39 PM ET

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Good for Mallett. He chose the right school. I would suggest that his news may be available tomorrow. You know the media is sometimes late on stuff like this.