FAYETTEVILLE - The wait is over.

Former Michigan quarterback Ryan Mallett has transferred to Arkansas and enrolled in classes, school officials confirmed Wednesday afternoon.

Mallett's transfer has been expected for several days, and he has already moved into an on-campus dorm room. But there was a brief holdup that prevented his transfer from becoming official.

Arkansas associate athletic director Kevin Trainor confirmed Wednesday that Mallett has been admitted into the university.

Meanwhile, Arkansas compliance director Marvin Caston said the school has received an official transfer release form Michigan, clearing the way for Mallett to become a Razorback.

Both of Mallett's parents are from Arkansas, and he grew up hoping to someday play football for the Hogs. But former Arkansas coach Houston Nutt didn't make a strong push for the former five-star recruit from Texarkana, Texas.

New Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino, however, made it a priority to get Mallett once it became apparent that the sophomore wasn't returning to Michigan.

Mallett visited Arkansas' campus and met with Petrino on Friday. He chose the Razorbacks after also considering transferring to UCLA, Texas A&M and Tennessee.

Petrino was unavailable for comment Wednesday because he was out recruiting.

The 6-foot-7, 252-pound Mallett must sit out the 2008 season because of NCAA transfer rules, but he will have three years of college eligibility remaining.

The addition of Mallett gives Petrino a big, strong-armed quarterback to base his pass-happy offense around in the future.

Mallett played 11 games as a true freshman at Michigan last season, and he took over as the starter when Chad Henne suffered a leg injury.

Mallett completed 61-of-141 passes for 892 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions in 2007.

But he asked for his release from Michigan because he didn't believe he fit new coach Rich Rodriguez's offensive system.