Ben

Mason

“As spring ball was going, he complained a little bit about his knee. His knee just didn’t feel right,” explained HC Jim Harbaugh. UM trainers were unable to find the cause for concern at first, with an MRI eventually revealing the tear. Mason (6'3/253) will undergo surgery and is expected to face a recovery timetable of about six weeks, which still puts him very much on track to compete in August camp. The sophomore played in all 13 of Michigan’s games during the past campaign, mostly in a special teams capacity. He’s transitioning from fullback to linebacker this offseason.

Mason (6'3/253) will play linebacker, but also lineup at fullback and tight end for the Wolverines. The goal is to get him to play 60-to-70 plays a game, and for him to be used in short-yardage situations. Keep in mind he was a fullback before moving to linebacker last offseason, so this shouldn’t be a difficult transition.

Mason is going to play on both sides of the ball, and Wolverines HC Jim Harbaugh compared Mason to former Cardinal two-way player Owen Marecic. “Comparisons to the former Stanford two-way starter are rare in Harbaugh’s book,” Murphy writes. “Mason is slated to see time at a number of thin positions on the depth chart this season, including the interior defensive line and in the offensive backfield.” We’re excited to see what he can do.

While Chengelis acknowledges that the traditional fullback position won’t be utilized heavily in OC Josh Gattis’ attack, she still believes that the 6-foot-3, 253-pound junior will see opportunity here and there all over the field. Writes Chengelis, “Mason can play some tight end, he worked in at defensive tackle during the spring, and he also plays special teams.” We should have a better idea of how, specifically, UM plans on utilizing Mason in the fall once August camp gets underway.