Steelers Rookie Mason McCormick Praised For Spurning NIL Money And Keeping 2023 Championship Team Together

The Pittsburgh Steelers used the 119th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to select Mason McCormick from the South Dakota State Jackrabbits. Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin used three of the first five selections in the 2024 draft on offensive linemen, marking the first time since 1976 that the organization used three of their first five draft picks on offensive linemen. It is also the first time in franchise history that they used back-to-back first-round picks on offensive linemen. 

On Monday, South Dakota State Head Coach Jimmy Rogers joined The PM Team w/Poni & Mueller to discuss his former player, McCormick. Andrew Fillipponi thanked Rogers for immediately making himself available to the show. McCormick's college coach responded by gushing about his two-time First Team FCS All-American and the foundation of his back-to-back FCS National Championship offense. Rogers intimated that fans of the Black and Gold would find a lot to like about McCormick.

"We've been blessed to have him. We've been blessed to have him, maybe more as a person representing South Dakota State academically, football-wise, and just overall," Rogers said. "Those things, they matter. He speaks on them authentically and genuinely."

Chris Mueller chimed in and asked Rogers to comment on the fact that McCormick had an opportunity to jump into the transfer portal after the 2022 National Championship and collect on what could have been a hefty NIL payday. His answer revealed just how dedicated McCormick was to returning to South Dakota State. 

"It means the world. We recruit off of it, we had eight players get picked up to go to the NFL, a high number for FCS. I think it's a high number just in general," Rogers continued. "All eight of those guys were illegally recruited and offered big money to go elsewhere, and they stayed. I think it's a commitment to the program. Mason has been huge in keeping this team together. The more success you have, that part of college football is getting really hard, and to have guys like [McCormick], that really helps."

McCormick is from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and demonstrated an intense loyalty to the Jackrabbits after his fifth season ended in an FCS National Championship. He elected to return for a sixth year, taking advantage of the extra availability afforded by the pandemic.

The FCS All-American had transfer portal offers of NIL money that, despite Rogers's insinuation, are currently legal in college football. Still, he spurned them and worked hard to help South Dakota State retain many key players to trigger a second run to the FCS National Championship. 

"I love the kid. He plays the game the right way," Rogers concludes. "During spring ball, he's getting ready to go the NFL. I see him in position meetings, and he's done with us. He just wants to be around the game."

No fan base in the NFL appreciates good offensive line play like Pittsburgh. McCormick's drive and passion for football should be critical factors in helping him make the leap from FCS to the NFL. He is another player with championship-level experience in what is becoming an impressive collection assembled by the Steelers. 

Steelers' 2024 Draft Class Reveals That Current Trio Of Decision Makers Is An Ideal Partnership  

The selection of McCormick in the fourth round brings Khan's current total of offensive linemen selected in the last two drafts to five out of 14 selections. It is clear at this point that Andy Weidl, who might be the best offensive line talent evaluator in the NFL, has a powerful voice in the draft process. 

Tomlin, Khan, and Weidl are working together brilliantly to turn a weakness into a strength. Art Rooney II would take a giant step towards turning the Steelers into a Super Bowl contender by rewarding all three with lucrative, long-term extensions.