As the final whistle blew, Jordan Mason found himself navigating the tunnels toward the San Francisco 49ers’ locker room, the echoes of victory still ringing in his ears. A massive “SC Top 10” pendant hung heavily from his neck, a testament to the standout performance he’d just delivered. A television cameraman sidled up, eager to capture Mason’s thoughts on their Week 1 triumph.
“I feel great, man,” Mason said, his voice a mix of exhilaration and humility. “I feel blessed. I’ve been working for this moment.” All around him, his teammates buzzed with excitement, one even shouting, “That boy a dog!” It was a sentiment echoed by future Hall of Famer Trent Williams, who, moments earlier, had extolled Mason’s virtues during a post-game interview.
Last fall, Mason had burst onto the scene as the 49ers’ go-to back when Christian McCaffrey was sidelined. Under the Monday Night Football lights against the New York Jets, he ripped through defenses for 147 rushing yards, proving that his performance was no fluke. Williams’ confidence in Mason wasn’t misplaced; the young running back solidified his reputation the very next week.
In his starting debut, Mason put up stellar numbers:
- 147 Rushing Yards
- 5.3 Yards per Rush
- 3.2 Yards Before Contact per Rush
- 3.1 Yards After Contact per Rush
- 1 Touchdown
- 50% of his rushes netting 5+ yards
The following Sunday, the 49ers ventured to Minnesota to meet one of the league’s premier defenses. Though the final score favored the Vikings, Mason stood out with a hard-earned 100 yards on 20 carries, impressing both opponents and onlookers with his relentless edge pressing and nimble footwork that turned every run into a showcase of skill and grit.
Who exactly is Jordan Mason, and why had his name not echoed through the halls of the NFL before now? The Vikings evidently took note of these questions, seizing the opportunity to trade for him when March rolled around. It was a transaction wrapped in optimism for Minnesota, having just invested over $100 million revamping their lineups, including key additions in the trenches with players like guard Will Fries and center Ryan Kelly.
Despite having recently re-signed seasoned veteran Aaron Jones and with a promising draft class on the horizon, Minnesota’s executives found Mason’s potential too tempting to ignore. According to advanced metrics, he was only slightly behind the likes of Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley in producing more yards than expected. His knack for forcing missed tackles was akin to Henry’s, and his post-contact yardage stood among the league’s elite.
Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah acknowledged the conundrum inherent in evaluating running backs. It’s a multifaceted challenge: the success of a ground game is as reliant on the offensive line and scheme as it is on backfield production. Yet, Mason ticks every box for a long-term impact player.
So, who is Jordan Mason, one might still ask? Hailing from just outside Nashville, Mason wasn’t exactly a known entity coming out of high school. Only the University of Texas-San Antonio initially recognized his talent. It was then Georgia Tech’s Andy McCollum who, struck by Mason’s combination of brains and brawn, urged his coach for a signing, eventually landing Mason on the Yellow Jackets’ roster.
Overlooked by many, Mason had skated under the radar despite running for 2,050 yards and 23 touchdowns as a high school senior. At Georgia Tech, where he lined up alongside talent like Jahmyr Gibbs, he continued to show his mettle, even as scouts placed undue emphasis on the standard markers, like a 40-yard dash time.
Stories of his leadership and tenacity made rounds—like the one from his college days when he willed himself to a first down on a seemingly stonewalled play, or his meticulous pass protection that flattened a charging linebacker.
Despite being an undrafted diamond from the South, it seems Mason found his perfect match with the 49ers. He relished being dubbed “Mariano Rivera” by McCaffrey, a mark of respect indicating just how clutch Mason had become.
With his savvy moves and piercing runs now set to dazzle in Minnesota, Jordan Mason stands ready to carve out his legacy in the NFL. If his past performances are any indication, the league best be prepared—because soon enough, he’ll be charging through defenses with the same tenacity that’s defined him thus far. As his admirers will no doubt assert, once again: That boy a dog!
