Retirement of Nebraska's Mac Markway Amplifies the Side of Football That Fans Don't See

Nebraska defensive tackle Mac Markway has retired from college football after knee issues ended his ability to play at the level he wanted. The St. Louis native posted on Instagram that his “knees just aren’t what they used to be,” and that stepping away brings “a huge weight and stress” off his shoulders. Markway’s 2026 season began with his first game in three seasons during the opener against Ohio, and it remained the only appearance he made for Nebraska. He began at LSU as a four-star tight end and said he returned to the field after five career-ending injuries. He plans to stay around the facility in another role.