The Final Cockdown: #85 Michael Almond and #84 Kyle Markway

It’s a little Tuesday special as we highlight two players in one for today’s edition of #TFC. Let’s get started.

Michael Almond

RS Freshman
Placekicker
6’3” / 215 lbs.
Augusta, GA

Recruitment

Coming out of private school GISA Class AAA Westminister High school, Almond wasn’t heavily recruited by any major schools for a football scholarship. As a dual-sport athlete, he put to use his gifted legs on the soccer pitch as well.

College Career

Almond walked-on in the Fall of 2015 and redshirted his first year on campus.

2016 Outlook

Expected to back-up the #Freisman, Almond may be the most athletic and versatile kicker on the Gamecocks roster. No shade thrown to Elliot’s well documented off-season work ethic.

At 6”3’ and over 200 lbs., Almond has the frame do more than just kick field goals, but kicking will probably be the extent of what he’s asked to do in Columbia. With one of the best punters in the nation in Sean Kelly still around, it’s unlikely he’ll get a chance to see anytime at the position this season either.

With all that said, he could compete for kick-off duties and serves as viable competition to the more seasoned kickers around for the Gamecocks.

Potpourri

Along with staring on the soccer team and handling pretty much all of the kicking duties for Westminister, Almond also played a little wideout and defensive back. Ever heard of a three-way player?

Kyle Markway

Sophomore
Tight End
6”4’ / 256 lbs.
St. Louis, MO

Recruitment

The St. Louis native saw a decent amount of attention from various schools around the nation during his recruitment. Most of said attention came from the Big 10 and he was most heavily sought after by Iowa, where his uncle Matt Markway played.

247 lists Kyle as the 18th best player in the state of Missouri and the 45th best tight end in the nation for the 2015 recruiting class.

College Career

Markway saw action in 12 of the Gamecocks 2015 regular season games, primarily on special teams. He did gain some experience catching passes as a tight end, an even earned one start against The Citadel.

He tallied three total catches for 59 yards and a pretty decent 19.0 yards per catch average.

2016 Outlook

With the departure of Jerell Adams, there’s a hole to be filled for the Gamecocks at tight end. Hayden Hurst came on strong to end the season and expects to be the opening game starter, and K.C. Crosby adds to the depth, but there’s a chance here for Markway to earn some reps in his second season with the Gamecocks. I don’t expect him to start many games this season, but he’s definitely another pass catching option that could come in and surprise opponents during the middle of games.

Potpurri

The versatility continues to impress in TFC. As a high school sophomore, Markway dominated on the defensive front as a DE, earning All-Conference honors with 43 tackles and four sacks.