He declined a chance at Year 6 with the Gamecocks. Now he’s signing to play in NY
South Carolina tight end Kyle Markway had the chance to return for a sixth year of college, but instead decided to throw his name into the NFL Draft after five years as a Gamecock.
He didn’t hear his name called as a pick, but soon after the draft, he tweeted he’ll sign with the New York Giants.
The 6-foot-4, 250 pounder came on last season, stepping up when injuries wrecked the tight end spot for USC. He was a key part of the passing game and a more than solid blocker.
Markway came through a good bit of hardship in his time at USC. He lost two seasons to injuries and admitted there were dark moments to get through. But in spots where many would quit, he didn’t.
He grew from a reserve tight end last season to a starter, as the team lost Kiel Pollard and Evan Hinson before the season began. In the opener, the only non-freshman tight ends available where him, a converted lineman and a little-used reserve.
As a senior, he posted 31 catches, 349 yards and a pair of touchdown. He had all of six receptions coming into the year.
His coach, Will Muschamp explained there wasn’t much upside in coming back, and Markway had earned his degree last May.
“As we looked and got the information from the NFL people, there was not going to be a lot of difference between where his draft status is now as opposed to how it would be after he came back for another fall,” Muschamp said. “He’s been a very productive player for us the last two years, he has been a model citizen in our program and I wish he had come back but certainly want what he wants and he wanted to look at this opportunity and we wish him the best. He did first class in everything he did here at the University of South Carolina.”
