Kane Miskel is hoping for a healthy season this year after his redshirt sophomore season was cut short by injury.

The former King’s Fork High School football standout has made his way back to the field for Old Dominion University. Last season, he was unable to play as he tore his lateral collateral ligament and also had a stretched nerve in his foot. The season before that, Miskel proved to be a productive player for the Monarchs.

As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in 12 games and started three at strong safety. He finished the season with 33 tackles, two pass breakups and half a tackle for loss and also contributed on special teams. He recorded five tackles against Hampton University in his first career game. He notched a season-best nine tackles against NC State.

Right now, Miskel feels good about his health. “My body is a hundred percent, and I’m looking forward to a good healthy season,” he said.

After finishing his redshirt freshman season so strongly, it was a bit frustrating for Miskel to have to deal with an injury. He was unable to build on the momentum and the chance to have possibly solidified his spot at the starting safety position.

“As a competitor, you don’t like losing especially when you know there isn’t anything you can do about it if you are not playing,” he said.

His rehab went well. Leg injuries can sometimes be grueling to rehab, but Miskel said it was more mental for him. He had to start trusting his leg and his foot again. If he didn’t trust it, he wouldn’t be able to return to the player he wanted to be. So, he attacked his rehab and recovery head on and is feeling good about where he is right now. He is not thinking about his last full offseason this summer and fall; he just wants to focus on being healthy at camp.

One thing he is hopeful to do during camp is to regain a starting spot at safety. After spending three years in the system, he is comfortable with the defense. Now, it is all about coming back and showing he can be productive.

At King’s Fork, Miskel was an All-Conference, All-Region and All-State selection at defensive back. He was a two-star prospect in the nation and helped King’s Fork to a 10-3 record. At defensive back, he recorded eight interceptions, three forced fumbles and four touchdowns.