In his first two preseason games, undrafted rookie running back Jordan Mason has become a fan favorite among the 49ers Faithful, who are hopeful he can make the roster.
The Tennessee native, who played all four years at Georgia Tech, rushed for 2,349 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Yellow Jackets but never had a 1,000-yard season.
"If you look back at it, they brought in Jahmyr Gibbs, you know," the undrafted rookie said this week. "He's a player, so you know, he had plans, so you know that's my dog. We had to share the carries."
Mason played 16 snaps and rushed for 57 yards on nine carries in the win against the Minnesota Vikings, which included a devastating 17-yard run where he broke five tackles, getting many fans hoping the undrafted rookie will survive the final roster cuts.
Jordan Mason has to be on the team that dude playing hard!!
— Danny Hernandez (@Dubnation707) August 22, 2022
The 49ers look like they hit on another UDFA RB in Jordan Mason. Do you think embarrassment of riches in the 49ers RB room could mean Trey Sermon, a 3rd rounder last year, could be the odd man out? Mitchell, Wilson Jr., Davis-Price, Mason, Hasty, and Juszczyk is already 6 RBs.
— Thomas or Gatz (@thomasgatztv) August 22, 2022
Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason and Tyrion Davis-Price will be a 🔥🔥🔥RB trio.
— Yung JA (@YungJa49er) August 21, 2022
Invest in Jordan Mason, 10,000 shares.
— mio mendez (@papa_mio) August 21, 2022
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has an impressive resume of bringing in running backs late in the NFL draft—or through the undrafted free-agent frenzy that follows—that become significant contributors to the offense, and Mason could be the next to do so.
In his games against the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, Mason averaged 6.1 yards per carry and said the 49ers offense fit his running style.
"Like just eight yards deep behind the QB and let's go wide zone, let's go inside zone," Mason said while describing how his running style fits the 49ers offense. "I think that they fit my run style."
The undrafted rookie said he is honored and blessed to play with the 49ers.
"I'm just here just to, you know, to make my family proud," Mason said.
The 49ers have a stacked backfield, and Mason will have to turn some heads if he plans on making the decision that Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have to make about the makeup of the RB room a hard one.
Mason will have one last game in the preseason finale against the Houston Texans to show the coaching staff he deserves a spot on the 53-man roster.