Mason McCormick Bio
Mason McCormick is an American professional football guard for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits and was selected by the Steelers in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft. A standout at the FCS level, McCormick earned consecutive national championships before making the jump to the NFL.
Born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, McCormick developed into one of the most decorated offensive linemen in Jackrabbits history. Known for his durability and consistency, he started 57 consecutive games during his collegiate career and quickly earned a starting role with Pittsburgh after injuries opened a path in his rookie season.
Early Life and Background
Mason McCormick was born on May 25, 2000, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He grew up in the same city where he would eventually become a local sports standout. Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall, he developed the size and athleticism that would later define his style of play along the offensive line.
McCormick attended Roosevelt High School in Sioux Falls, where he played football and competed on the track and field team. He was a top multi-sport athlete and helped the football team reach the state championship during his prep career. As a senior, he earned first-team all-state honors and was selected as an Argus-Leader Elite 45 honoree. Although he played mainly as an offensive guard, he also saw time at every other offensive line position, showcasing his versatility at a young age.
Coming out of high school, McCormick was a zero-star recruit but committed to play college football at South Dakota State. His decision to stay in his home state set the stage for one of the most decorated careers in Jackrabbits history.
Path to American Football
McCormick joined the South Dakota State Jackrabbits as a true freshman in 2018, appearing in three games while taking a redshirt to preserve a year of eligibility. The following season, he played in the final 12 games and earned two starts late in the year, giving the coaching staff a glimpse of his long-term potential.
When the 2020 season was postponed to the spring of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, McCormick became a full-time starter. He started all 10 games that spring, helped South Dakota State reach the national championship game, and earned second-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) honors along with All-American recognition. His performance marked the start of an extended run of dominance at the FCS level.
Mason McCormick Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
McCormick’s earliest years at South Dakota State were about development and patience. After redshirting in 2018, he worked his way into the rotation during the 2019 season, eventually earning two starts. Those early experiences allowed him to refine his technique and prepare for a larger role once the spring 2021 season arrived.
That spring, McCormick seized the opportunity. He started all 10 games, helped lead the Jackrabbits to the national championship, and collected All-American and All-MVFC recognition. By the end of that spring season, he had firmly established himself as one of the top interior offensive linemen in the FCS.
South Dakota State Breakthrough (2021–2023)
During the fall 2021 season, McCormick was named a team captain and started all 15 games at left guard. He earned his second consecutive second-team All-MVFC honor and another All-American selection, cementing his status as a leader on the Jackrabbits offensive line. His consistency and toughness made him a fixture in the lineup.
In 2022, McCormick elevated his game to another level. He started all 15 games, was named a first-team All-MVFC selection, and earned consensus All-American honors while helping South Dakota State win its first-ever national championship. He was named offensive lineman of the week six times and received the Adam Timmerman Award as co-offensive most valuable player of the team.
McCormick returned for a final season in 2023 and started all 15 games once again. He helped the Jackrabbits repeat as national champions while earning first-team All-MVFC and first-team All-American recognition. He finished his collegiate career having started 57 consecutive games, a remarkable streak of durability. Following the season, he was invited to both the East–West Shrine Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2024–Present)
McCormick was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round, 119th overall, of the 2024 NFL draft. He made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons, contributing to a victory. Following injuries to Isaac Seumalo and Troy Fautanu, McCormick earned his first professional start in Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts, a 27–24 loss.
By the end of the 2024 regular season, McCormick had played in all 17 games with 14 starts. He logged 936 offensive snaps, placing him 42nd in the league among offensive linemen. He finished with a PFF overall grade of 57.7, ranking 87th out of 136 guards, along with a pass blocking grade of 63.2 and a run block grade of 53.7. McCormick and the Steelers ended their season with a 28–14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Wildcard round on January 11, 2025.
McCormick began 2025 by playing all 58 offensive snaps in the Steelers’ Week 1 victory over the New York Jets. He earned a PFF grade of 63.6, placing him among the team’s top ten performers for the week.
Driving Style and Strengths
McCormick is recognized for his versatility along the offensive line, having played every interior position during his time at Roosevelt High School and South Dakota State. His pass blocking grades have consistently outpaced his run blocking marks, suggesting a skill set well-suited to protecting the quarterback in passing situations. With 57 consecutive collegiate starts, he brings durability and dependability to the trenches.
Notable Events and Milestones
McCormick’s most defining milestones include back-to-back FCS national championships in 2022 and 2023 and his selection as a consensus All-American. He also earned a fourth-round selection in the 2024 NFL draft and posted 14 starts as a rookie, a strong mark for a Day 3 pick thrust into action by injuries.
Mason McCormick Career Wins
Mason McCormick has yet to record a win as a starting professional in the NFL at the time of his rookie regular season finale. However, he made his NFL debut in a Week 1 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in 2024 and started in Week 1 of 2025, which was a victory over the New York Jets. His collegiate career was defined by championships rather than individual win counts.
South Dakota State Highlights
During his time with the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, McCormick started 57 consecutive games and helped lead the program to two straight FCS national championships in 2022 and 2023. He was a two-time first-team FCS All-American and a two-time first-team All-MVFC selection. His first major collegiate recognition came during the spring 2021 season, when he helped the Jackrabbits reach the national championship game.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his championship seasons, McCormick earned second-team All-American honors in 2020 and 2021 and second-team All-MVFC recognition in both years. He was also a key contributor during the Jackrabbits’ run to the national championship game in the spring 2021 season, capping a remarkable stretch of consistency at the FCS level.
Mason McCormick Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Mason McCormick was raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the same community where he attended Roosevelt High School and developed into a top-tier football prospect. He has not publicly discussed his parents or siblings in widely available sources.
Personal Life
McCormick remains focused on his professional football career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is not publicly known to be married, and no information about a spouse or children has been confirmed in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Mason McCormick entered his second NFL season as a key member of the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line. He opened the year by playing all 58 offensive snaps in the Steelers’ Week 1 victory over the New York Jets, an encouraging sign of the trust the coaching staff placed in him after his 14-start rookie campaign.
Building on a rookie year that saw him play 936 offensive snaps and rank 42nd in the league in that category, McCormick will look to improve his 57.7 PFF overall grade from a year ago. With continued development in pass protection and run blocking, he has an opportunity to cement himself as a long-term starter along the Steelers’ interior line.
Given his durability and versatility, McCormick projects as a steady presence for Pittsburgh throughout the 2025 season. His ability to play every offensive line position gives the Steelers flexibility in their personnel groupings and could lead to expanded responsibilities as the season progresses.