Mason goes from frustration to fulfillment

The former YSU running back sweated out NFL cutdown day and earned a spot with the Washington Redskins.

By JOE SCALZO

Vindicator sports staff

Marcus Mason walked into the Washington Redskins’ practice facility on Sept. 5 — NFL cutdown day — with his phone turned off and his stomach churning.

The former Youngstown State running back had been released on his previous two cutdown days — even after leading the NFL in preseason rushing yards last summer — and knew he was on the bubble.

“I was at the facility getting treatment when [Redskins GM] Vinnie Cerato came up to me and said, ‘I have to talk to you,’” Mason said. “I was like, ‘Oh man, not again.’”

Then Cerato smiled and Mason knew he’d been had.

“He said, ‘No, not this time; you’re good,’” said Mason. “And that’s how I found out I made the team.”

Did he do anything to celebrate?

“No, I just went on with my day,” he said. “Then I went home and played video games.”

Since his record-breaking senior year with the Penguins in 2006, things haven’t been easy for Mason.

After no team picked him in the 2007 draft, he signed with the Redskins and spent the next two years trying to find a permanent position with his hometown team (he graduated from Georgetown Preparatory School in Bethesda, Md.), the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Jets.

He led the NFL in rushing yards during last year’s preseason with 317, but was released by the Redskins anyway.

Until last weekend, his NFL career was more frustration than fulfillment.

“Obviously it feels good to [make the team],” said Mason, who set Maryland’s career prep rushing record with 5,700 yards. “You work so hard, going through OTAs [organized team activities], then you go through minicamp and training camp only to find out the team isn’t going to keep you.

“After doing that for two years, a lot of people would have given up. But I just fought and fought.”

Mason knows that attitude needs to continue. Although he considers himself a running back first, he’s never carried the ball in a regular season game. Barring an injury to Redskins starters Clinton Portis or Ladell Betts, Mason’s role will be on special teams.

He’ll need to excel in that area to make the active roster. Of the 53 players on an NFL roster, only 45 are active for game days.

“As for right now, I’m just here waiting for my opportunity,” he said. “I don’t know what my role will be. Hopefully it will be something.

“That’s all that matters.”

Although Mason was only with the Penguins for two years — he transferred after two frustrating years at the University of Illinois — he made the most of his time at YSU.

As a senior, he set school single-season records for rushing years (1,847), rushing yards per game (153.9) and 100-yard rushing games (10).

He finished his career with 2,739 yards and 31 TDs, helping the Penguins advance to the Football Bowl Subdivision national semifinals his senior year.

“YSU gave me a great opportunity,” said Mason. “One, because I was actually playing. And Coach [Sam] Eddy and Coach [Jon] Heacock helped me grow as a man.

“I couldn’t have asked for more from my experience there.”

When asked what he remembers most from his time at YSU, Mason said “game days.”

“Playing those games, for a I-AA school, it was surprising how many people came to the game,” he said. “That’s one memory I’ll never forget. All those fans out there in Youngstown.

“It was lovely.”

scalzo@vindy.com