Different Path
There was a time when Michael Carmody believed his future lay in basketball.
He entered his sophomore season on the hardwood at 6-foot-6 and had displayed a knack for hitting 3-pointers as a freshman on the varsity team.
Size and range — enticing to any college basketball recruiter, for sure.
“I grew up playing more basketball than football,” said Carmody. “So yeah, I did think about going to college to play it.”
But in January 2018, Mars' two-sport star changed his course.
“College football scouts began to show interest in me, not during the football season, but the following winter,” Carmody said. “Things really picked up from there and everything happened so fast.”
Carmody was switched from tight end to right tackle as a junior and the attention from colleges intensified. After receiving 30 Division I offers, he made a verbal commitment to attend and play football at the University of Notre Dame in June.
“I made the decision before my senior year started,” he said. “So now I can just focus on playing and enjoying my senior season.”
And wreaking havoc with opposing teams.
At 6-foot-7, 290 pounds, Carmody is imposing. But he's about more than just size. His technique should improve over last year, when he earned all-state recognition. He was one of only six Class 5A linemen from across the state to be honored.
“I spent a lot of time in the gym over the offseason and worked on technique,” said Carmody. “I'm feeling a lot stronger and more comfortable.
“After I moved to tackle, run blocking was easier for me to pick up. Pass protection involves a bit more technique. Playing in the Wing-T, we do a lot of pulling on running plays and I get a running start at people.”Mars has a deep history of 1,000-yard fullbacks, Garrett Reinke the most recent one, surpassing 1,800 yards last fall. Junior Teddy Ruffner will be the next back to chase the milestone and will most certainly benefit from Carmody's athleticism.But his play on offense is only half of Carmody's packaged deal. He also excels on defense and will move from end to tackle this season.“We're thinking it will be harder for teams to block him if he's inside,” said Mars coach Scott Heinauer. “He should cause a lot of disruption.”Carmody plans to play basketball this year, but he knows his days as a Mars football player are numbered.“I want to focus on everything a little more this year,” he said. “I want to help the team win and am looking forward to playing under those Friday night lights.”
