Tag: Mason McCormick

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 77, SDSU OL Mason McCormick

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is South Dakota State offensive lineman Mason McCormick.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.

In back-to-back NFL drafts, Brian Gutekunst has added a pair of FCS talents. Green Bay’s general manager added Christian Watson in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft and followed that up by selecting Tucker Kraft in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Gutekunst could go back to the FCS pool during the 2024 NFL Draft by adding Mason McCormick. The South Dakota State interior offensive lineman checks in at No. 77 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

McCormick, a Sioux Falls native, finished his career at SDSU with 57 straight starts at left guard. McCormick played a key role in helping the Jackrabbits win back-to-back national championships.

“Mason has always been one of the hardest workers in our program,” Ryan Olson, the offensive line coach for SDSU, said. “His attitude and consistency on a daily basis has brought out the best in his teammates. Obviously, the tape and what he gave us on the field speaks for itself.”

McCormick has quick feet and stays balanced in his setup. He plays with a low center of gravity and has a strong upper body. He has a high football IQ and keeps his head on a swivel. He has powerful hands and stops pass rushers in their tracks. According to Pro Football Focus, McCormick gave up zero sacks and just three pressures this past season.

“His athletic gifts in terms of body control, light feet and natural balance are elite,” Olson said. “But in addition to that, he’s the type of player who always has a pre-snap plan. He studies the guy across from him and knows what to be ready for. He’s a cerebral player.”

McCormick is a mauling run blocker and stays underneath blocks. He plays with a ton of violence and keeps his legs driving at contact to create movement and open up running lanes. 

“He has a ton of twitch and suddenness, but beyond that, he is a finisher and has an edge,” Olson said. “He plays with a high level of violence and he wants to finish on every play.”

During his time in Brookings, McCormick logged 3,375 snaps at left guard, 15 snaps at center and 19 snaps at right guard. He took reps at center during the East-West Shrine Bowl practices and looked more than comfortable. A transition to center is something that Olson believes McCormick could handle with ease. 

“Without question,” Olson said. “I’ve allowed him to do any and all drill work while snapping the ball. He’s taken center reps in practice. He will get comfortable there quickly. As far as the mental part of it, he’s set our protections and run counts here for the last two years from the guard spot. He’s used to running the show.”

Fit with the Packers

The Packers need to add depth along the interior of the offensive line and could be in the market for a guard to battle Sean Rhyan for the starting right guard position. 

McCormick is battle-tested and could step in on day one to challenge Rhyan for starting reps. Even if he didn’t earn a starting role as a rookie he’d provide much-needed depth at guard and center. 

With his short-area quickness, his toughness and IQ, McCormick has the makings of a player that could carve out a 10-year career. Plug him in at guard or center and he likely would never give the job back. 

“He is a phenomenal competitor,” Olson said. “He doesn’t lose often but when he does, he can hit reset and play the next play. He is as mentally tough and resilient as they come. He’s a tireless worker. You won’t find a more intelligent offensive linemen in the draft class. He makes everyone around him better.”

The Packers have had a ton of success finding quality offensive linemen on Day 3 of the draft. If McCormick is still on the board when the Packers are on the clock in the fourth round, it would be hard to pass up the opportunity to add a player with his experience, intelligence and intangibles. 

Eagles 7-round mock draft 2.0 as we kick off the 2024 NFL offseason

The Philadelphia Eagles are retooling and we’ve unveiled are second 2024 NFL Mock draft of the offseason and ahead of the scouting combine

The Eagles are looking for a reset after exiting the playoffs following a loss to the Buccaneers in the Wild Card round of the NFC playoffs.

Even with Nick Sirianni’s team clinching a playoff berth for the third straight year, there have been significant changes to the coaching staff following a historic collapse that saw Philadelphia lose 6 of their final seven games.

It’s never too early to look ahead at the NFL draft, and with so many holes on defense, Howie Roseman has the assets to retool the roster.

Philadelphia has never drafted an off-the-ball linebacker in the first round, and they won’t this spring either, but Howie Roseman will reload in the trenches and could get a familiar name in the second round.

We’re looking ahead and releasing our second Eagles Wire mock draft of the offseason via the PFF simulator, with the Birds restocking in the trenches and the secondary.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits return talented offensive core that could have scouts flocking to Brookings

South Dakota State won the FCS championship in 2022 and have some viable NFL prospects returning to Brookings for 2023

The South Dakota State University Jackrabbits will begin their title defense on Thursday in Brookings against Western Oregon.

It will also mark the first game for head coach Jimmy Rogers. Last year’s defensive coordinator takes over for John Stiegelmeier and will benefit from a strong core of offensive players returning from last year’s championship team.

This past April, the Jackrabbits had one offensive player selected from the National Championship team. When the 2024 NFL Draft rolls around the Jackrabbits could have up to six offensive players hear their names get called during draft weekend.

Isaiah Davis, RB

During his first season as a full-time starter, Davis rushed for 1,451 yards and 15 touchdowns. He’s a well-built running back who refuses to go down on initial contact. According to Pro Football Focus, Davis racked up 938 yards after contact. The former Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year showcases good vision and scoots through the hole with outstanding burst.

Jaxon Janke, WR

The Madison, South Dakota native is a detailed route runner. Janke has vice grips for hands, only dropping one pass last season on 88 targets. The SDSU wide receiver has hauled in 132 receptions for 2,033 yards and 14 touchdowns over the past two seasons. Along with what he brings to the table on offense, Janke brings special teams value as a return specialist. He enters his final season at Brookings with a 12.2 punt return average and one punt return touchdown.

Jadon Janke, WR

Janke, like his twin brother, is going to be a fan-favorite of special teams coordinators. He brings value as a return specialist and has also played on punt and kickoff coverage units. During his career at Brookings, he’s averaged 11.4 yards per punt return, with one touchdown and 19.3 yards per kick return. He has strong hands, with a little wiggle after the catch. 

Zach Heins, TE

Heins is nowhere near the same level of athlete as his former running mate, Tucker Kraft. What he lacks in pure athleticism, he makes up for with his size (6-7, 260). He’s strong at the point of attack as a blocker and does an adequate job of keeping his legs driving to drive defenders downfield. He finished last season with career highs in receptions (29) and yards (347) to go along with four touchdowns. With Kraft no longer in the picture, SDSU quarterback Mark Gronowski could look to target his big-bodied tight end over the middle of the field more frequently this fall.

Garrett Greenfield, OT

Greenfield enters his final season at SDSU with 24 career starts at right tackle and 16 at left tackle, starting 15 games at left tackle last season. The 30-game starter has light feet as a pass blocker and showcases the lateral quickness to mirror edge rushers. He has the easy athleticism to climb to the second level without laboring. After giving up two sacks against Iowa and UC Davis to start last season, Greenfield gave up zero sacks and just eight pressures during the final 13 games. 

Mason McCormick, OL

Maybe one of the most seasoned interior linemen in the 2024 NFL Draft, McCormick has started 42 games at left guard for the Jackrabbits. The Sioux Falls, South Dakota native is smooth in pass protection and has strong hands. He showcases good quickness and erases defenders at the second level.