Michigan Football: Ben Mason kills it in Senior Bowl

Michigan football had five former players taking part in the Senior Bowl on Saturday but the only one who really made an impact was Ben Mason. 

Of all the former Michigan football players who took part in the Senior Bowl Saturday, it was probably Ben Mason who helped his NFL draft stock the most.

Fullback obviously is a position that has been seen less and less over the years in football, whether it’s at the college level or the NFL. But when a guy can do the things that Mason can do on the football field, there will always be a spot for him.

Just check out this pancake on a run block. That will certainly turn some heads in NFL front offices and move Mason up some draft boards.

https://twitter.com/colecubelic/status/1355616306171703298

That play right there basically sums up who Mason is as a football player. It also makes you wonder why Michigan football didn’t run the ball much last season because as a lead blocker, Mason is a freight train.

Here’s what NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah had to say about Mason, via Rivals:

“Keep an eye on him, by the way. He’s already had a few nice lead blocks in the game. He’s actually started a game on the defensive line, so he’s very versatile. A very tough kid.”

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However, he’s more than just a lead blocker. He actually started his Michigan football career as a linebacker and moved over to offense. He also played defensive line for a time before returning to fullback and it sounds like there’s a very good chance he will get drafted, maybe even in the middle rounds.

As far as the other former Michigan football players in the game, there wasn’t much of an impact. Nico Collins didn’t play a ton and didn’t see a pass thrown his way throughout the game. Ambry Thomas also didn’t see many snaps, nor did Chris Evans, who actually didn’t play at all.

Yet, when it comes to the Senior Bowl, practices mean more than the game and Collins, as well as Evans and Mason did really well this week.

Collins, Mason, Thomas and Evans join a number of other former Wolverines such as Kwity Paye and Cam McGrone, who are expected to be drafted. Paye is viewed as a first-round pick.

None of the guys at the Senior Bowl are likely going that early, but with a solid 40-time at the combine, Collins could easily be a second or third round selection.