On Aug. 22, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Kyle Markway, a tight end out of the University of South Carolina. The New York Giants originally signed Markway as an undrafted free agent back in April, but the team released him on Aug. 12.
Markway will go to Pittsburgh to take the place of tight end Dax Raymond.
After being signed by the Steelers in July, Raymond recently injured his ankle at training camp. He has since been placed on Pittsburgh’s injured reserve list to make room for Markway.
Several scouting profiles list Markway as an experienced and talented blocker.
South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp could not have agreed more when speaking to reporters about the tight end in May.
“Kyle’s a guy that’s going to be able to block at the point of attack and be a threat in the passing game because he runs good routes, he’s got really good hands,” Muschamp said. “He’s a guy that can give you some things in the passing game and some things in the running game and those guys are hard to find.”
Markway entered his freshman year at South Carolina in 2015. As a true freshman, he appeared in all 12 games and saw a lot of action on special teams.
Markway redshirted his second year as he was battling a foot injury. He faced an injury yet again just two games into his year as a redshirt sophomore, which ended his season.
No. 84 Kyle Markway celebrates a touchdown against the Florida Gators. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
“He battled through all of those things [injuries] and really was a productive player for us the last two years,” Muschamp said.
In 2018, the junior tight end caught three passes for 53 yards and one touchdown. That year he was also named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll.
In his final season at South Carolina, Markway started in all 12 games for the Gamecocks. He ranked third on the team with 31 receptions for 349 yards and two touchdowns.
Ahead of Markway at the tight end position are Eric Ebron and Vance McDonald. These two are still expected to be quite the dynamic duo, but will also have to prove themselves.
Ebron just made the move to Pittsburgh during the offseason, so he has yet to play in a game with the Steelers’ offense.
Although McDonald has been with the team for a few years now, he still has room to improve.
That being said, Markway will still have to work his way up in order to get a solid roster spot. However, according to Muschamp, determination is something Markway does not lack.
“Kyle’s going to be a guy who’s going to take advantage of every opportunity because he’s extremely bright and he’s extremely driven in what he wants to do,” Muschamp said.
Featured Image Courtesy of GamecocksOnline.
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