2024 FCS NFL Draft Scouting Report: South Dakota State OL Mason McCormick
South Dakota State OL Mason McCormick
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 309 lbs
Career Statistics: 70 Career Games, 3,411 Career Snaps Played, 3 Sacks Allowed, 27 Pressure Allowed
Accolades: 4X FCS All-American Selection (2020-23), 2X Consensus FCS All-American Selection (2022-23), HERO Sports Sophomore All-American (2020-21), 4X All-MVFC Selection (2020-23)
Background Report:
Mason McCormick was a standout athlete at Roosevelt High School, excelling in football and track & field. As a senior, he earned first-team All-State honors and was recognized as an Argus-Leader Elite 45 selection. Playing primarily as an offensive guard, McCormick also demonstrated his versatility by playing across all offensive line positions. He chose to play college football at South Dakota State, starting his career as an unranked recruit.
In his first year of 2018, McCormick appeared in three games, opting for a redshirt season. He saw action in the last 12 games by the next season, starting two. The spring 2021 season, delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, saw McCormick starting all ten games and significantly contributing to the team's run to the FCS National Championship. He also earned All-Conference and All-American honors. McCormick later was named a team captain and started all 15 games at left guard in fall 2021, receiving second-team All-MVFC recognition and All-American honors for the second season in a row.
The 2022 season marked a pinnacle in McCormick's career, starting all 15 games, achieving first-team All-MVFC and consensus All-American status, and playing a key role in South Dakota State's first national championship in school history. He garnered the Offensive Lineman of the Week award six times and shared the Adam Timmerman Award as the team's co-most valuable offensive player. In 2023, McCormick continued his success, aiding in the team's second consecutive national championship win and earning first-team All-MVFC and All-American honors once again. He ended his college career with 57 straight starts and was invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine.
Scouting Report:
McCormick's physical attributes are ideal for his role as an offensive guard. At 6-foot-4 and 310 lbs, his broad upper body and powerful lower half give him the leverage and strength to excel professionally. McCormick's effectiveness as a run blocker is marked by his explosive power and leg drive, allowing him to dominate at the point of attack.
His agility, particularly in pulling and navigating through tight spaces, and ability to take effective angles highlight his versatility and utility in various blocking schemes. However, McCormick's stiffness in lateral movement suggests a better fit in gap-man blocking schemes where his straight-ahead power and ability to operate in space can be maximized.
In pass protection, McCormick's keen awareness and strong grip make him a formidable barrier against power rushers, though improvements in maintaining pad level could enhance his consistency. His capacity to recover and neutralize threats shows his potential to contribute significantly to pass protection at the professional level.
Projection: Round 3-4
Projected as a high-end NFL rotational prospect, McCormick's skill set positions him as a promising talent for NFL teams needing a powerful, reliable guard. His experience in a championship-winning program, physical attributes, and football IQ make him an attractive option in the NFL Draft.
