FAYETTEVILLE - The NCAA has denied the University of Arkansas' appeal for immediate eligibility for transfer quarterback Ryan Mallett.

The university filed the request in early February on behalf of the Mallett family.

"I am disappointed that the NCAA has declined to grant a waiver in my case," Mallett said in a news release issued through the university. "My family and I were hopeful that I would be eligible to play for the University of Arkansas in the upcoming season. For now, I will focus on finishing up the semester academically, rehabilitating my [thumb ] injury and getting prepared for preseason camp. I look forward to taking the field for the Razorbacks when I have that opportunity."

Mallett transferred from the University of Michigan, citing differences with the Spread option offensive philosophy of new Wolverines Coach Rich Rodriguez, and enrolled in January at Arkansas.

Mallett, a 6-6, 253-pounder who excelled as a drop-back passer at Texarkana (Texas ) High School, seems like more of a natural fit in Coach Bobby Petrino's Spread offense, which utilizes drop-back and bootleg passes and does not incorporate as much running by the quarterback as Rodriguez's system.

"As an institution and a football program, we felt it was very important to offer our support and assistance to Ryan and his family in the appeal process," Petrino said. "Ryan and his family understood from the beginning that precedent did not suggest that the NCAA was likely to grant the appeal.

" Now that the final decision has been made, we will move forward and use the upcoming year as an opportunity for Ryan to grow as a student, a quarterback and as a person. We are happy to have him as part of the Razorback program."

Mallett will be required to spend a full academic year in residence at Arkansas before being eligible for competition. He'll be able to practice with the team in the fall and will have three years of eligibility remaining after the 2008 season.

Mallett had been taking snaps at second-team quarterback behind Casey Dick this spring before sustaining the thumb injury in the team's second scrimmage April 11.

Mallett wore a yellow no-contact jersey for the rest of spring practice and was able to get in limited work in individual periods.

The group expecting to battle for backup quarterback duties behind Dick this fall will include his brother, redshirt freshman Nathan Dick, senior Alex Mortensen and signees Tyler Wilson of Greenwood and Jim Youngblood of Camden Fairview.