Brian Kelly reveals LSU tight end Mac Markway has informed team he's not playing in 2024

LSU tight end Mac Markway is no longer on the Tigers team, head coach Brian Kelly informed reporters on Tuesday.

Markway “has made a decision that he’s not going to play,” Kelly said, per Mike Scarborough. Kelly added that he doesn’t know if Markway will transfer elsewhere or what his plans are moving forward.

Mac Markway was about to enter his sophomore season for the Tigers. He seemed to be a player with a bright future in Baton Rouge as he played a pivotal role for LSU as a freshman last season.

In 2023, Markway appeared in 12 games, making one start. He caught three passes for 16 yards and a touchdown last season.

Markway was rated as a four-star recruit and the No. 17 tight end in the country in the class of 2023, per the On3 Industry rankings.

He signed with LSU after playing high school football at Missouri. Markway played 160 snaps on offense last season and another 39 on special teams.

With Mac Markway no longer on the roster, it will be interesting to see what the depth chart looks like at tight end.

Mason Taylor is back after starting at tight end last season, but there’s an opportunity for playing time behind him now.

Will Campbell believes Garrett Nussmeier will ‘light the SEC up’

LSU is going to look a little different at the quarterback position this year.

The Tigers have the tall task of replacing Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels in 2024. Instead of reaching into the transfer portal for a new shiny toy, LSU head coach Brian Kelly opted to pick veteran Garrett Nussmeier as he successor.

His longtime presence in the locker room appears to have earned him the respect of his peers. His performance on the field backs that up, according to LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell.

“[Nussmeier] has definitely waited his turn,” Campbell said on Monday. “I couldn’t be more excited for him. He’s gonna go out there and light the SEC up. I mean, obviously the offense is different compared to last year. i mean, everyone here knows [Nussmeier] isn’t gonna bust down the sideline for 90 [yards], every five plays — but he very well could. The style is different. But it’s going to effective, we’re going to get the job done and score a lot of points.”

Finally getting his shot, Nussmeier heads into the 2024 season coming off one of the best games of his career. Able to start in the Tigers’ bowl game due to Daniels’ choice to opt out of the ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Wisconsin. Scoring was plentiful under Nussemeir’s guide.

Nussmeier completed 31 of his 45 passes for 395 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. The Tigers trailed the Badgers by two scores early in the matchup, but Nussmeier’s led LSU to overcome the deficit and outscored the Badgers 35-17 — which was capped by a 98-yard game-winning drive — over the final three quarters. It was LSU’s 10th win of the season, who ended its season with a 35-31 victory.