Michigan Football: Ben Mason at fullback makes sense all around

Michigan football has moved Ben Mason back to the offensive side of the ball to play fullback and here’s why that’s a good move all around.

Ben Mason has sort of a mythical presence around the Michigan football team. At the very least, he has a certain persona.

He’s the tough guy and whether he plays offense or defense, that will always be true. Last season, he made a name for himself as a lead blocker and short-yardage back and in that role, he thrived.

This year, however, Michigan football was hoping to get him on the field even more and that led to the idea of Mason playing on the defensive line, either at defensive end or defensive tackle.

Mason tried to bulk up and he seemed to have some potential as an interior pass rusher but in the end, it just didn’t work out.

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Up to this point in the season, Mason has had a limited role on defense. He’s not quite stout enough to stop the run and he hasn’t made an impact as a pass rusher or in any other role.

Maybe the play he is best known for this season is the fumble he had in the first quarter against Wisconsin, which is hard to put on him, considering it was his first game action on offense.

The point remained that Michigan football needed a short-yardage back. Hassan Haskins and Zach Charbonnet have actually done well and both are big backs. But sometimes, you need a guy to push the pile and whether that’s as a lead blocker or ball carrier, Mason can do it.

In some interviews with coaches, it became clear that Mason would be making the move back to offense permanently according to Wolverines Wire.

Obviously, blocking will be part of it, but it’s also probably an acknowledgment that Mason didn’t really work out defensively.

Since the fullback was sort of phased out of the offense, it made sense to try it and make no mistake, Mason is an emotional leader for this team. But spread or no spread, sometimes you have to pull up your sleeves and get a tough yard or two.

That will be easier with Mason at fullback. He’s also a guy that can contribute in pass protection and even as a receiver, as well as on special teams.

It also allows guys like Chris Hinton to get more playing time, which is important too. The bottom line is that Mason may not have a huge role on the offense, but whatever role he does have, he will play it well and his physicality will certainly be welcomed.