Interview: 4-Star 2023 Missouri TE Mac Markway Impresses Beyond His 17 Offers
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
There is no other way to put it, during the 2019 high school football season DeSmet was loaded. The Spartans had senior future Division I players everywhere on the field making their squad the most feared in Missouri. But the run to a 14-0 campaign ending with a No. 19 national ranking by MaxPreps could not have happened without contributions from underclassmen, including Mac Markway. On a roster filled with Class of 2020 and 2021 talents drawing collegiate scouting attention, a 6-4, 250-pound, freshman tight end/H-back carved out his own niche leading to four-star recruiting status and 17 scholarship offers thus far.
In an RNG first-look interview, Markway sheds light on all that he was doing on the field a year ago with an update on his offseason workouts and growing recruiting process.
Interview
Mac, you are that guy that all your teammates has to love. You get nasty with your blocking like an offensive lineman, you catch cleanly with your hands like a receiver, you run over jokers like a power back, and you are counted upon as a blocker and receiver for your quarterback. Doing all that, I’m guessing defenders are not liking all that you bring to the field, and you were just a freshman. Is all of that a pretty accurate assessment?
Yes, that is pretty accurate.
How did opposing teams try to scheme against you?
They would play a lot of man with a linebacker against me. We had a lot of threats on our team. We had an All-American, Jakailin Johnson who was an Ohio State commit and we also had Ra’shod Harvey-Smith, he’s a beast in the slot. Our team was loaded, and no one was keyed on. They played zone and hoped for the best. We have three D-I running backs and some D-I offensive linemen; I think three. No one tried to stop anyone but tried to stop the entire team.
Breaking down all that you do on the field, as a threat with the ball in your hands, what did you feel were the strengths to your abilities at the end of the 2019 season?
I did not drop a single pass. Last season, I averaged 12 yards after the catch. Blocking was a strength. I was putting people in the dirt. I did a little bit of everything last season.
What were the things you were doing well as a blocker during your freshman campaign?
My pass-pro, I did not do too much of that, I was running routes. I was a run blocker mainly. With my run blocking, we pull a lot. They’d put me at H-back, wide out, slot, or at tight end on the line. At H-back, I would run block, pull around the line and get kill shots really.
Yes, you did. This season, where all will we see you on the field?
On offense I am playing tight end, wide out, and slot and on defense I am starting to play some defensive end.
Are you excited about getting time in at end this season?
I am excited. I have played defensive end more than tight end in my life.
Going home on defense, so to speak.
Yes, sir.
To get ready for the 2020 season, how have you prepared your body from a strength and conditioning standpoint over the spring and summer months?
I have been preparing in every aspect with my speed, strength, agility, and endurance. My trainer and I do everything. Other training places focus on one thing, but we do it differently. My cousin, Kyle Markway, he played at South Carolina and now plays for the Steelers, I have been doing his workouts. I am running a 4.7 now. Last year I was running a 4.8 or 4.9. My speed has improved.
What have you been working on with the details of your game?
I work on my hands and routes every day, with Coach Staley; he played for the Rams and works at Elite Sports Training. He works on my hands and footwork. With my blocking, I stay up on that. I cannot slack on that. I took advantage of this long break and put the work in.
The Spartans were perfect last season ending with a top ranking in-state. How did the 14-0 season help motivate everyone during offseason workouts?
It motivated everyone completely. When I saw everyone at our first conditioning workout, everyone looked like D-I players. It was crazy.
How is the team looking overall?
Our team is looking great right now; really good. I think we look better than last year. We are hungry for more after last season.
You guys open on Friday, Sept. 11, on the road against East St. Louis beginning the year as the state’s No. 1 ranked team, ranked No. 12 nationally. What kind of game are you expecting from the Flyers in Week 1?
That game was cancelled. We are starting in October now. We were pushed back.
Once the season does get going, what goals have you set besides winning another state title?
For me personally, I want to accomplish bigger and better things for my team. I want to produce more than last year for my team. I don’t put personal goals together, I am more about the team. Personal goals will come if you put it in with the team.
Let’s talk recruiting. That you know of, which schools are showing recruiting interest?
Ohio State, Wisconsin, UCLA, Notre Dame, Penn State, and Florida State. Clemson hit me up not that long ago.
Nice. How many offers do you have already?
Seventeen.
Marway’s Offer Sheet: Alabama, Appalachian State, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kansas State, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, Texas A&M, and West Virginia
Did you get to take any unofficial visits before the dead period began in March?
I was about to take four to Notre Dame, Penn State, Miami, and Michigan again right before the virus hit, but all the visits were cancelled.
Have you taken any virtual visits?
I have. I did one with Florida and Michigan.
You had all of those planned visits that fell through, once the campuses open back up were all might you go?
I want to go to all of them really. All the schools that have offered, I want to visit. I have not had a chance to see any schools. Florida, they gave me a presentation but I want to be there in person and meet everyone. I would enjoy that. Schools like Clemson and Ohio State, they said they want to see me in person. I am fine with that.
Mac, it was great going over all these topics with you today. Wishing you and the Spartans another fantastic season.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Markway family; Mac Markway