Fantastic Fifteen: Kyson Mallard returns with unfinished business 

ALBANY — The season ended before it ever began.

One routine practice. One awkward step. One torn ACL.

In an instant, Westover’s biggest college football prospect traded Friday night lights for surgery, rehabilitation and the long, uncertain road back.

For Kyson Mallard, it wasn’t just a devastating injury.

It was the loss of the season he had spent years preparing to play.

Now, nearly a year later, the 6-foot-5, 320-pound senior is finally preparing for the moment he wondered if he’d ever experience again.

“I’m getting better every day,” Mallard said. “I’m still working to get used to the brace on my knee.”

Those words have defined the past year.

Every workout.

Every therapy session.

Every step toward returning to the football field.

Long before he became one of Georgia’s premier offensive line prospects, football represented something much bigger than touchdowns and scholarship offers.

Mallard started playing football when he was 5 years old, although his size often created some entertaining moments.

“We always had to take my birth certificate to prove my age,” he said with a laugh.

Football became serious after sixth grade, when he realized the game might someday change his family’s future.

“I realized I might be able to help my family get into a better position if I became really good at football,” he said.

That realization fueled years of hard work that eventually turned Mallard into one of the nation’s top offensive linemen.

More than 20 Division I programs extended scholarship offers.

Georgia landed his commitment for a time.

Today, his future belongs to Louisville.

After reopening his recruitment, Mallard committed to the Cardinals and says his decision is final.

Now 100 percent committed, he plans to study business management while continuing his football career.

But before Louisville comes one last opportunity at Westover.

Many athletes spend their senior season thinking about Saturdays in college.

Mallard has spent his thinking about Friday nights.

“I’m focused on this season,” he said. “I think it will be a big year for us. We’ve got a lot of talent and I believe we can win the region.”

He believes the Patriots have everything necessary to compete for a championship.

“Everything is in place,” he said. “We’ve just got to work through it. We’re going to practice hard and follow our coaches. We’ve got a really good group of coaches, and I really don’t think anybody can beat us if we keep working.”

Off the field, Mallard enjoys history—especially if it’s taught by Westover head coach Corey Joyner, he joked.

The son of Kayla and Bennie Lofton has already accomplished something few high school players ever do by earning the opportunity to play Power Four football.

But that isn’t what has driven him over the past year.

His motivation has been much simpler.

Getting back.

When Westover opens the 2026 season, most fans will notice Mallard because of his imposing 6-foot-5 frame.

Few will notice the brace supporting his knee beneath the uniform.

For Mallard, that’s perfectly fine.

Because after spending nearly a year watching football from the sideline, he isn’t thinking about the injury anymore.

He’s thinking about the first snap.

The first block.

The first Friday night.

And the final season he worked so hard to get back.