While the Nebraska football team is preparing for its game this weekend against the UTEP Miners, the coaches were also busy pulling a rabbit out of a hat. On late Tuesday morning, former LSU tight end Mac Markway announced he was about to be a Husker.
It’s certainly not what Husker fans were expected on a random Tuesday in late August. All the focus has been on getting ready for the game. But recruiting never sleeps, and Matt Rhule and his gang never stop.
There are some fascinating reasons why Nebraska Football's addition of Mac Markway to the roster stands out. Not the least of which is that the tight end is yet another former LSU Tiger.
He’s even a surprise to some Nebraska football coaches
“I found out about it (Monday) to be dead honest with you,” NU offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield said during his typical weekly media session. “Since I found he was here, I researched him a little bit — he’s a good player, has got a chance to do some things for us as everything starts to take place. Just showed up to school and here he is.”
One has to wonder how the kid managed to join the program without the team’s offensive coordinator not knowing he was coming. That had to be an interesting conversation between Satterfield and head coach Matt Rhule.
Mac Markway’s got some serious talent
The newest addition to the Huskers is a former 4-star prospect out of DeSmet high in St. Louis, Missouri. While he ultimately chose the LSU Tigers, he had teams like Ohio State, Iowa, Miami, and Florida recruiting him hard.
He did play in 12 games as a true freshman and started one last year for a Brian Kelly team that involved catching passes from the eventual Heisman winner. In all, he hauled down 3 catches for 16 yards and a touchdown.
He might not be eligible until next season
It’s not yet clear whether the Huskers added a weapon for this season or next. Markway entered the portal last month, after the window closed. That would seem to indicate he won’t officially be able to play for the team until the portal opens again this winter.
However, he is practicing, so he can at least get up to speed. During Satterfield’s press conference, he admitted even he didn’t know the particulars. He did say that Rhule might and he would address them during his Thursday Nebraska football press conference.