Patriots backup quarterback Ryan Mallett’s character was scrutinized as he ran through the rigors of the 2011 pre-draft process, and he plummeted to the third round because of those concerns.

The critics might need to start paying more attention. Do they know he’ll graduate from Arkansas on Saturday with a sociology degree? Do they know he immediately requested to work as a coach at yesterday’s football clinic at Harvard for high school youths with disabilities? And do they know one of those kids has been Mallett’s pen pal since he attended last year’s event?

Mallett, in other words, has looked nothing like the immature quarterback with a top-10 arm and third-round contract from two years ago. Maybe that’s why the trade requests picked up this offseason, when the Cleveland Browns called multiple times and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers also displayed interest in acquiring Mallett from the Pats.

Mallett, who turns 25 next month, hasn’t made a peep off the field since joining the Patriots. And by yesterday’s actions, the transition from a questionable prospect into a maturing adult appears to be progressing the way the Pats intended when they selected him. It could help them yield a greater return on their draft investment if they’re able to trade him, whether talks resurface this offseason or next.

Mallett said he routinely returned to campus this offseason to pass the final two classes to get his degree, and he beamed about it yesterday.

“The teachers worked with me really well,” Mallett said. “They knew I had to come back. I’ve been going back the past few weekends to finish up. They let me do it on the weekends, so it’s been really nice.”

Mallett was also running all over the field yesterday with 150 kids who showed up for the camp, throwing them passes, celebrating their touchdown runs and applauding their end zone dances. It was as genuine as it gets.

“Today has been awesome,” Mallett said. “I got to come out here last year and do the same event. I’ve seen some of the same kids, and they remember me. We’ve just had a blast out here playing football.”

Mallett got to spend a little extra time with one of his newest friends. The two met last year at the same camp, and they’ve remained in touch.

“I’ve got a buddy, William,” Mallett said. “He emails me all the time, and I get to talk to him and it’s a lot of fun. He always asks me, ‘What are we doing this week? What’s the game plan?’ It’s just a lot of fun to make those relationships.

“William came to a game last year, left me a note and I got to see him after the game. It’s a lot of fun.”

Mallett and punter Zoltan Mesko were both scheduled to be at the event at Jordan Field, but the camp was surprised when Bill Belichick arrived as an unannounced guest.

Belichick casually walked to the center of the field to meet with some of the groups, as the trio of Patriots were there to teach football fundamentals to the participants. Belichick went through some instruction before a downpour briefly halted the event, so he posed for photos and chatted with the kids.

Belichick then sat in the middle of Mallett and Mesko for a full group photo before taking a megaphone and talking to the kids about the importance of having fun and being active.

Mesko said it was an easy decision to participate for the second time.

“I think this is a really important day,” he said. “This is my second year coming to this. These kids really get me going. They’ve got my heart. It’s just a good cause to show them what Play 60 is all about, getting out there, being active, having an active lifestyle.

“We had so much fun last year. These kids are awesome to deal with. They will follow our instructions, kicking, punting, and at the same time, we’re doing a lot of good things with them to get them interacting with each other, just having a positive influence on them.”

Yesterday, coincidentally, marked the 16th anniversary of the Mesko family’s move from Romania to the United States.

While thinking about it, the Pats punter said, “My dad sends us an annual email, like ‘Let’s be thankful for what we have.’ Just being here, it makes you realize how less fortunate others are, and I love to give back.”