FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas is expected to petition the NCAA to grant eligibility in 2008 to transfer quarterback Ryan Mallett.

Marvin Caston, Arkansas ’ assistant athletic director for compliance, said Monday afternoon he would be prepared to comment today on the Mallett issue.

Mallett, a blue-chip prospect out of Texas High School in Texarkana, Texas, played at Michigan as a true freshman last season but decided to transfer shortly after the arrival of new Michigan Coach Rich Rodriguez.

Mallett enrolled at Arkansas last month. Under normal NCAA transfer rules, Mallett would be ineligible to play in 2008 and would have three years of eligibility beginning in the 2009 season.

Mallett, whose family lives on the Arkansas side of the state line in Texarkana, told media in Michigan his incompatibility with Rodriguez’s Spread-option system led to his decision to transfer. He contemplated enrolling at Tennessee, Texas A&M and UCLA before deciding on Arkansas, his favorite team as a child.

Mallett, 6-7, 253 pounds, played in 11 games last year, completing 61 of 141 passes for 892 yards with 7 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He earned playing time when Wolverines starter Chad Henne was injured.

Mallett could not be reached for comment Monday. A message left on his parents’ phone was not immediately returned.

In other Arkansas football news, two of the team’s starting specialists will not be back in 2008. Kickoff man Brian Vavra and holder Clark Irwin are no longer on the roster, said Kevin Trainor, Arkansas’ associate athletic director for external affairs.

Vavra, a three-year letterman out of Bentonville High School, handled almost all of the kickoff duties last season.

Irwin, a sophomore out of Little Rock Central, held for place kicks and was a reserve quarterback last season.