Lassiter’s Mason hoping recruitment will pick up as senior season wears on

Question to all SEC, ACC, and Division 1 head football coaches: have you had your eyes checked recently? No matter how high your recruiting class may currently be ranked, you’re missing one of the best prospects in the state of Georgia. The player in question, a quarterback, has thrown for 1,472 yards with 17 touchdowns (to just three INTs) through the first five games of the ’09 season. Two weeks ago, he threw for a top-classification state-record 486 yards in a single game! You could divide his yards and touchdowns by two and he’d still lead Cobb County in both categories. He’s 14-3 as a starter in the highest classification in the state. He won 5A Offensive Player of the Year in Georgia last year. One would think offers would be flying in daily for someone with this resume. However, that has not been the case for Lassiter quarterback Hutson Mason. 

Mason’s recruitment has been an enigma. The only committable D1 offers he currently has come from Indiana, UAB, Western Kentucky, Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan. Iowa originally offered the QB, but withdrew the offer for reasons unknown. So why has he received so little love from big-time programs? It’s clearly not his numbers: they’re bonkers. It’s not his size; Mason is 6-3, and while he’s not huge at 190 pounds, he has a frame that a college strength and conditioning program could easily add 20-30 pounds to. Mason is poised, incredibly accurate (completed 73 percent of his passes so far this year), and has solid arm strength. He does not have any sort of grade or behavioral issues. 

The lack of offers is perplexing to Mason as well. “I can’t control what they think. I just have to keep playing and keep pushing and proving people wrong.” Mason has kept a positive attitude throughout the recruiting process and believes more coaches will begin to come calling if he keeps doing what he’s doing. Lassiter head coach Chip Lindsey said of the situation, “It’s still early. Signing day isn’t until February. I think once things fall into place, Hutson will find himself in a good situation.” While Mason has said that he would be willing to go anywhere, he grew up dreaming of playing in the south, particularly in the SEC or ACC. So, Lane Kiffin, Mark Richt, Nick Saban, and the rest of you coaches out there, pick up your phones. Otherwise you may be missing out on your next star quarterback.