Who is Jordan Mason, the 49ers RB who started for McCaffrey in the season opener against the Jets?

Known for his bruising running style, stiff arm, and ability to break tackles, Lynch carved out a legendary career. Now, some fans are wondering: could Mason be the 49ers’ answer to Lynch?

What was Jordan Mason’s NFL path?

Mason’s journey to the NFL began at Georgia Tech, where he was able to show his potential over four seasons from 2018 to 2021. His freshman year with the Yellow Jackets was awe-inspiring, averaging 6.1 yards per carry on 108 attempts, finishing with 659 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns.

Throughout his college career, Mason accumulated 2,349 rushing yards, 17 touchdowns, and a strong 5.2 yards-per-carry average, making a name for himself as a versatile and powerful ball carrier.

From being undrafted to being scouted by the 49ers

Despite this, Mason’s journey to the NFL was not assured. He was not invited to the NFL Combine and went undrafted. However, the San Francisco 49ers’ scouting team, particularly area scout Warren Ball, noticed something in Mason that others had overlooked. His impressive preseason performance as an undrafted free agent secured him a prized spot on the 49ers’ 53-man roster, surpassing a third-round pick, Trey Sermon.

Mason’s rookie season revealed his potential. He combines size and speed at 5′11″ and 223 pounds, with a 4.58-second 40-yard dash time, much like Marshawn Lynch. His ability to break tackles and maintain balance through contact has drawn frequent comparisons to Lynch, particularly in his physicality and explosive acceleration through the line of scrimmage. Unfortunately, the 49ers didn’t utilize him much in his first NFL season.

Jordan Mason was allowed to shine in the first game of his second season, during the Monday Night Football game against the New York Jets. Christian McCaffrey could not play due to his lingering Achilles injury, so Mason was called upon to start. He seized the opportunity and delivered an outstanding performance, rushing for 147 yards and scoring 1 touchdown on 28 carries. This game demonstrated the importance of always being prepared for the chance to step up when it comes your way.

It is premature to label Mason as Lynch 2.0, but his physical attributes and running style warrant the comparison. His coaches, specifically running backs coach Bobby Turner, are confident in Mason’s unlimited potential. Turner stated that Mason has the potential to become the next dominant power back in the NFL, which is reminiscent of Lynch’s prime years.