People wonder how some players get either drafted into the NFL, or signed as a free agent, out of one of the lower divisions of competition. For some people, it is just a matter of being a “late bloomer.”
You know what they say about the rose which blooms last. Yep, it blooms the longest. At least, that is what my grandmother used to tell me.
We believe Health, and player like him, who go to college still developing physically is how you see guys like Krishawn Hogan, from NAIA Marion University. Hogan was invited to the NFL Combine in 2017.
Krishawn ended up signing with the Arizona Cardinals in 2017 after going un-drafted. He has stayed in the league and is now on the New Orleans Saints’ roster. Hogan registered his first career reception against the Tennessee Titans just last season.
The same trek is possible for Mason Heath. Heath played at Southwestern High School, a.k.a. “Warrior Nation.” He was listed, for most of his high-school career, as being 6-2 and weighing 260-pounds.
Heath anchored the offensive line over his senior year. The team finished 7-6 and made an improbably run to the Regional Championship round after having struggled some during the regular season (5-5).
As we have consistently said, teams which play 13 or more games in any one season have done something right. Football is a playoff sport after all. Every team starts its playoff journey 0-0.
On defense, Heath had 38-tackles, 7-TFLs, a QB-sack, forced a fumble, and recovered two. Playing on both sides of the football in the 5A-classification, for a program which played for the regional title, is no small feat by itself.
Heath has signed to play for John Luttrell at Union College. Coach Luttrell and staff had an impressive haul in 2020. While they signed some impressive in-state players, none were any more impressive than inking Mason Heath. We may look back in three or so years and point out just how right we were.
Here’s the kicker…Heath is now 6-3 and weighs a “well put-together” 270-pounds. According to Southwestern’s Coach Foley, the kid’s growth plates are still separated, indicating he still has some growing yet to do.
Mason Heath was an offensive tackle and defensive end in high school. Right now, he figures to play along the offensive front for Coach Luttrell. We haven’t asked Coach Luttrell, that is just our prediction.
We believe Mason will start-out along the interior offensive line with an opportunity to slide outside should his height continue along its present arch. Should Mason round into a high-end offensive lineman-type, inside or out, he would be the kind of prospect which might well snag an NFL opportunity on down the road.
Rumor has it, the versatile and mobile athlete just might play a little fullback for Coach Luttrell too. We have no idea whether or not that is in the cards but the fact he possesses the athleticism for it to be discussed should tell you all you need to know about this soon-to-be-Bulldog.
Good luck to Mason Heath as he commences his journey into college football. You have picked a quality program which provides a quality educational opportunity.
This is Coach HB Lyon, reporting for KPGFootball, and we’re JUST CALLING IT LIKE WE SEE IT!
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