Athletics has long been a part of Mason McCormick's life.
As a youth, his first love was basketball, which his father, Lee McCormick, played during his collegiate years at Mount Marty. Around that same time, Mason had his first taste of tackle football, one that didn't go so well at first, but it didn't deter him from continuing on with the sport.
As a sophomore at Roosevelt High School, McCormick made the decision to devote himself completely to football, a decision that his father Lee didn't take well at first, but it would end up becoming one of the best decisions he ever made. By his senior year, McCormick was a first-team all-state guard who helped lead his high school to the state championship game in 2017. At the same time, he was a standout in track and field, where he placed second in the discus and fifth in the shot put at the Class AA state track meet. All the while, McCormick wanted nothing more than to play with the South Dakota Jackrabbits, a dream he realized that year.
As a true freshman, he only saw three games. The next year, McCormick appeared in the final 12 games of the season, starting at left guard. McCormick was the starting left guard for the Jackrabbits during the COVID year of 2020, garnering All-America and All-Conference honors after playing 10 games. The following year, McCormick started all 15 games as left guard for the Jackrabbits, helping to anchor an offense that averaged 142 rushing yards per game. McCormick earned multiple All-America and All-Conference honors over the last two seasons. In 2023, he and colleague Garret Greenfield developed what could be the strongest offensive line tandem in the nation. McCormick would set the program record most consecutive starts, with 57.
McCormick is a rugged, hard-nosed, and slightly rigid offensive tackle whose athleticism is evident on tape. McCormick's skillset allows him to contribute in both the run game and pass protection. The most impressive thing about him is how much he improved his overall technique in such a short period of time. This suggests that he has merely scratched the surface of his potential.
Physical Mauler
Simply put, this is his trademark. McCormick relishes physicality and it show up often on tape as he lays out opposing defenders and adds a finishing touch when they're on the ground. For the Steelers, he is the type of the lineman that the team should benefit from on inside or outside zone run.
In this run sequence, notice how McCormick briefly feigns the idea of pass protection when he comes out of his stance. When the second-level linebacker attempts to blitz inside, McCormick lays a big hit and quickly takes him to the ground. He then adds the finishing touch with a pancake-style block. This was one of his signature blocks that made him a household name in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
Picking Up Stunts (Awareness)
McCormick's football IQ is underappreciated in terms of his overall game. On tape, McCormick is skilled at timing his blocks and has a solid knowledge of what angles to utilize to seal defenders. Overall, he is highly instinctive, aware of impending blitzes, and knows when to pick them up.
In this example against the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2022, McCormick is seen in the left guard position. When the ball is snapped, McCormick quickly picks up the Hawkeyes' defensive lineman on his side. During his blocking sequence, notice how he has his head up high enough to see the Hawkeyes' outside linebacker crossing over. McCormick stays poised as he passes the defensive lineman over to Greenfield and picks up the outside linebacker rushing in the A-gap. The entire sequence is a textbook example on how an offensive lineman should handle stunts.
Improved Pass Protection Technique
McCormick has worked hard to enhance his overall pass protection technique. It's no secret that McCormick lacks the natural flexibility in his lower extremities to bend at the knee, which has limited his ability to effectively anchor a pass rush. This has improved slightly after watching his later footage, as have other specific characteristics that should make him a better pass protection lineman.
In this one-on-one sample from the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl, pay attention to his pad level and hand placement. When the ball is snapped, watch how explosive he comes out of his stance. He excels at maintaining a lower pad level than the opposing defensive lineman, allowing him to get his hand beneath his shoulder pads. Third, when the SMU defensive lineman attempts to bull rush him, McCormick drops his outside foot, successfully anchoring and moving laterally. This pass protection was a significant improvement over what he demonstrated during the season with the Jackrabbits, and it says volumes about his capacity to grow as a player.
(Side note: McCormick is doing this as a right guard instead of his natural left guard position)
McCormick is a raw prospect that is still a work in progress. That said, he has a high floor with his versatility, athleticism, and physicality. Whether the team has a left or right tackle, McCormick is a highly intelligent lineman capable of adapting quickly. With the future of veteran James Daniels in doubt, the team should take solace in the fact that they selected a player who should someday become an important part of an evolving offensive line.
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