Arkansas to honor Alex Collins, Ryan Mallett with on-field tributes during 2023
The Arkansas community lost two former players this offseason. Alex Collins and Ryan Mallett both passed away this summer.
Collins lost his life in a motorcycle accident, and Mallett drowned at a beach in Florida. A new tradition honoring the fallen players will start on Saturday as the Razorbacks take on Kent State.
The initials of the former players will be displayed at the 3 and 15-yard lines as those were the numbers they wore in college. The designs will stay at Frank Broyles Field throughout the 2023 season.
Beginning Saturday & throughout the 2023 season, we are paying tribute to former @RazorbackFB greats (#3) Alex Collins & (#15) Ryan Mallett with their initials painted at the 3- and 15-yard lines on the home sideline of Frank Broyles Field. #OneRazorback pic.twitter.com/y4eWRti1Hx
— Hunter Yurachek (@HunterYurachek) September 5, 2023
The players were also honored at Razorback Stadium this offseason. Mallett had a scoreboard graphic dedicated to him. The entire stadium was lit up red for Collins about a week before the season opener.
The memory of the former Razorbacks will live on. Kickoff for Week 2’s game will be at 4 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
And Chris Smith will be honored by his family being honorary captains for the Auburn game.
Chris Smith, Alex Collins, Ryan Mallet, Reggie Chaney and Charles Balentine were all taken way too soon. Going to miss these Legends.
Hadn’t heard about Balentine’s passing, and honestly didn’t recognize the name as his time with the Hogs was while I was in diapers. Hopefully he and Chaney will be honored during basketball season.