Phil Matusz Head Strength And Conditioning Coach | Pittsburgh Steelers Website
Phil Matusz Head Strength And Conditioning Coach | Pittsburgh Steelers Website
Learn more about offensive lineman Mason McCormick in this edition of Five Fast Facts.
1. The Steelers selected the offensive lineman from South Dakota State in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, with the 119th overall pick. McCormick has played in 70 games in his collegiate career, including a school-record streak of 57 games where he played the opening offensive snap at left guard in all 15 games in 2023.
2. McCormick earned All-America honors and All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors for the fourth time in his career in 2023. He also earned Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week honors in a win over North Dakota.
3. He took advantage of an extra year of college eligibility that came about because of the COVID-19 pandemic to perfect his craft and attended an offensive line bootcamp heading into his final season at South Dakota State.
4. McCormick has been described by some as the meanest, yet nicest, player around. He agrees with that, knowing on-field and off-field behavior are two separate things. "I think on the field there is only one way to play this game," said McCormick. "When you are off the field, there is no reason not to be a good person and nice to people."
5. McCormick is the first player from his high school, Sioux Falls Roosevelt, to be drafted into the NFL. He was an all-state lineman in high school and a podium participant in both discus and shot put. He also played basketball growing up but decided to focus solely on football during his sophomore year of high school.