Mason McCormick Bio
Mason McCormick is an American professional football guard for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, he played college football for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits before being selected by the Steelers in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft. Listed at 6 feet 5 inches and 315 pounds, McCormick has quickly established himself as a dependable interior lineman at the professional level.
A two-time FCS national champion at the collegiate level, McCormick entered the NFL with a reputation for durability and consistency. He has appeared in 26 NFL games through Week 10 of the 2025 season, making 23 starts, and has become a steady presence on the Steelers’ offensive front.
Early Life and Background
Mason McCormick was born on May 25, 2000, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He grew up in his hometown and attended Roosevelt High School, where he developed into a multi-sport athlete. In addition to playing football, McCormick competed on the track and field team, earning first-team all-state honors as a senior in his secondary sport.
On the football field, McCormick was a top regional prospect and an Argus-Leader Elite 45 selection. He played primarily as an offensive guard but also saw time at every other offensive line position during his high school career. He helped lead the Roosevelt football team to a state championship appearance, showcasing the leadership and toughness that would later define his career.
Despite his production, McCormick was rated as a zero-star prospect coming out of high school. He chose to stay close to home and committed to play college football for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, beginning a journey that would eventually carry him to the NFL.
Path to American Football
McCormick’s path to professional football began with a redshirt freshman season at South Dakota State in 2018, when he appeared in three games. The following year, he played in the final 12 games of the season and earned two starts late in the year, signaling his growing role on the Jackrabbits’ offensive line.
During the spring 2021 season, which had been postponed from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, McCormick started all 10 games and helped South Dakota State reach the national championship game. His performance earned him all-conference and All-American recognition, establishing him as one of the top FCS linemen in the country.
In the fall 2021 season, McCormick became a team captain and started all 15 games at left guard, collecting another second-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) honor and a second All-American selection. By the end of his college career, he had started 57 consecutive games, demonstrating the kind of consistency NFL scouts value highly.
Mason McCormick Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
McCormick’s early collegiate years were marked by steady development. After a limited redshirt freshman campaign in 2018, he became a full-time contributor in 2019 and then a dominant force in 2020 and 2021. He earned second-team All-MVFC and second-team FCS All-American honors in both 2020 and 2021, building a résumé that put him on the radar of professional scouts.
His durability and consistency through these seasons set the foundation for his later success. Starting 25 consecutive games between the spring 2021 and fall 2021 seasons, McCormick proved he could handle a heavy workload while maintaining a high level of play against top FCS competition.
Collegiate Breakthrough (2022–2023)
The 2022 season represented McCormick’s true breakthrough at South Dakota State. He started all 15 games, was named first-team All-MVFC, and earned consensus first-team All-American recognition. He was also named offensive lineman of the week six times and received the Adam Timmerman Award as co-offensive most valuable player for the Jackrabbits. That year, he helped South Dakota State win its first-ever FCS national championship.
McCormick returned for a final season in 2023 and delivered an encore performance, starting all 15 games and helping the Jackrabbits repeat as national champions. He was again named first-team All-MVFC and first-team All-American, capping his collegiate career with back-to-back titles and individual accolades. He was subsequently invited to the East–West Shrine Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine, where he impressed scouts with his experience and technique.
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 Steelers debut in Week 1’s victory over the Atlanta Falcons, and following injuries to Isaac Seumalo and Troy Fautanu, he earned his first professional start in Week 4’s 27–24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
By the end of the 2024 regular season, McCormick had played in all 17 games and made 14 starts. He finished the year with a Pro Football Focus grade of 57.7 overall, ranking 87th out of 136 NFL guards, with a pass-blocking grade of 63.2 and a run-blocking grade of 53.7. He played 936 offensive snaps, placing him 42nd in the league among guards. The Steelers’ season ended with a 28–14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Wildcard round on January 11, 2025.
McCormick began 2025 strong, playing all 58 offensive snaps in the Steelers’ Week 1 victory over the New York Jets and earning a PFF grade of 63.6, which placed him among the team’s top ten performers. He went on to start all 17 games of the 2025 regular season, further cementing his role as a reliable starter on the offensive line.
Driving Style and Strengths
McCormick is known for his experience, technical soundness, and durability at the guard position. Having started 57 consecutive collegiate games before turning professional, he brings a steady, assignment-sound approach to pass protection and run blocking. His ability to play multiple offensive line positions and his high football IQ have made him a versatile asset for the Steelers’ front five.
Notable Events and Milestones
Some of the defining moments of McCormick’s career include helping South Dakota State win back-to-back FCS national championships in 2022 and 2023, earning first-team FCS All-American honors in both of those seasons, and being selected 119th overall in the 2024 NFL draft. His first NFL start against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4 of the 2024 season and his full 17-game debut season in 2025 mark significant milestones in his young professional career.
Mason McCormick Career Wins
At the collegiate level, Mason McCormick was part of two FCS national championship teams with the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in 2022 and 2023, establishing himself as one of the most decorated linemen in program history. He was a two-time first-team FCS All-American and a two-time first-team All-MVFC selection, reflecting his dominance at the FCS level.
College Highlights
McCormick’s most notable college achievement was helping South Dakota State capture back-to-back FCS national titles in 2022 and 2023. He started all 15 games in each of those championship seasons and was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American in both years. He finished his collegiate career having started 57 consecutive games, a remarkable streak of durability and consistency.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his national championships, McCormick earned multiple All-American and All-MVFC honors, including second-team recognition in both 2020 and 2021. His individual awards, including the Adam Timmerman Award as co-offensive MVP in 2022, highlight his impact at South Dakota State and his growth from a zero-star recruit into one of the top linemen in the FCS.
Mason McCormick Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Mason McCormick was raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he attended Roosevelt High School. Specific details about his parents and family background are not publicly documented in available sources.
Personal Life
In May 2025, McCormick got engaged to Addison Hirschman, a former basketball player at South Dakota State. The couple’s engagement marked a personal milestone for McCormick during his second NFL season.
2025 Season Performance
Mason McCormick’s 2025 season has been defined by his transition into a full-time starting role for the Pittsburgh Steelers. After playing all 17 games with 14 starts in his rookie year, he began 2025 by playing every offensive snap in the Steelers’ Week 1 victory over the New York Jets, earning a PFF grade of 63.6 and a spot among the team’s top ten performers.
He went on to start all 17 games of the 2025 regular season, providing stability and experience on the interior offensive line. Through Week 10 of the 2025 season, McCormick had played in 26 career NFL games and made 23 starts, establishing himself as a reliable long-term piece of the Steelers’ offensive front.
Looking ahead, McCormick’s continued development, durability, and versatility position him as a key contributor for Pittsburgh’s offensive line for years to come. His combination of professional experience and championship pedigree from South Dakota State suggests he will remain a central figure in the team’s plans moving forward.
