It was new for the family, who had been in the recruiting process before Markway played a high school game. Michigan offered the tight end his first scholarship in eighth grade. He had made more than 40 visits — official and otherwise — and vetted about 30 candidates before committing to LSU in March 2022.

This time? No red carpet. No football facilities or coaches. Just a walk with regular prospective students deciding whether to sign up for classes.

“Mac has been struggling with this for a long time,” said Matt Markway, his father. “We didn’t want to go into the portal and make all those visits. We wanted to simplify it a little bit.”

The Markways did, and Nebraska acquired a former national star in one of the most unlikely ways.

Husker coaches got the shock of camp on Monday — the first day of UNL classes — when the big-boned playmaker walked into the Osborne Legacy Complex unannounced and asked to come in. A quick background check revealed that Markway had attended five practices with LSU before departing on Aug. 5. The St. Louis native previously had offers from a list of college football bluebloods that included Alabama, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Oregon.

“Since I found out he was here, I’ve been looking into him a little bit,” NU offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Marcus Satterfield said Tuesday. “He’s a good player. He’s got a chance to do some things for us now that everything’s starting to happen. He just got into school and here he is.”

“I was shocked,” coach Matt Rhule said Thursday. “It’s an unbelievable surprise.”

The family — with the help of sports agent Mike McCartney — concluded that this was the only way Markway could transfer schools in August and still maintain his eligibility for the 2024 season. The player never officially entered the transfer portal, instead transferring like any normal student would. He was never recruited by Nebraska and never had any contact with the current staff until he arrived Monday and asked for a shot.

There was no guarantee the Huskers would say yes.

“We talked about how in business you take risks,” Matt Markway said. “It was an experience that Mac had to go through. It was definitely a risk, but we knew we had to play by the rules and not talk to anybody. It was a very unique experience and he’s very, very excited to play for the Cornhuskers.”

Markway has no prior ties to his new school or coaches — “Nothing,” the elder Markway said. The family identified six tight end-heavy offenses within a seven-hour drive of St. Louis, all in the Big Ten or SEC, and did their research. Nebraska was one of the “few” schools Mac Markway applied to for admissions, in case he chose to attend.

The Markways loved Lincoln and the relative proximity to family and friends. They loved that Nebraska finished second in the Big Ten in rushing yards per game last year. They loved what they read about Rhule and physical workouts and freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola.

“They’re on the rise — there’s no doubt they’re on the rise,” Matt Markway said of the Huskers. “I’ve been around football a long time and you can see from miles away that there’s a program starting to take shape. Mac’s excited to be a part of that. I think people are going to love the way he plays.”

Mac Markway — real name McCain — is the latest in a line of tight ends. Matt played the position at Iowa in the late 1990s. Mac’s uncle, the late Steve Wisniewski, did the same at Ohio State around the same time. His nephew, Kyle, finished his college career at South Carolina in 2019.

The Black Friday battle with the Hawkeyes suddenly takes on a different meaning.

“It’s going to be awkward,” Matt said. “I don’t think some of the fans there were happy when he, as an Iowa throwback, went to LSU instead of Iowa. I don’t think it’s going to go over well. But I’m looking forward to that game.”

Mac Markway burst onto the St. Louis prep scene as a freshman, earning a reputation as a devastating blocker as De Smet High School won a state title. A pandemic-shortened 2020 season followed before a left knee injury kept him off the field as a junior and senior.

Major programs continued to pursue the top 250 recruit in the 2023 cycle. Markway committed to Florida in July 2021 and transferred to LSU the following spring after a regime change at the Gators. He enrolled early and played in 12 games as a true freshman with the Tigers, starting once at Mississippi State and catching three passes for 16 yards and a touchdown.

Matt Markway said his son left Baton Rouge when he did because the timing was “just right for our family” and for reasons both football and personal. LSU junior tight end Mason Taylor remains one of the stars of the Tiger offense, though Markway was in the mix as the next man up.

“Mac wanted to get back to his roots, the Big Ten and his family,” Matt said. “He wanted to play; he didn’t want to be sidelined.”

What that looks like for Markway at Nebraska this season is still unknown. The Huskers like their tight end group, led by juniors Thomas Fidone and Nate Boerkircher, along with Luke Lindenmeyer. Touted true freshman Carter Nelson has a long-term future at tight end, but will start at receiver.

Rhule said signing a player less than a week before a game is no different than how new signings quickly get up to speed in the NFL. Markway could theoretically appear in four regular-season games and still be eligible for three years.

It all started with a transfer that was unconventional even in the transfer window.

“Mac didn’t need to be coddled or sold,” Matt Markway said. “We just wanted to do it the old-fashioned way. I think it’s cool and it’s made Mac a stronger person.”