July 10, 2014
THE FLATS – Shaquille Mason, the senior leader of Georgia Tech’s offensive line and a 2013 first-team All-ACC selection, was named to the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy, selected by the Football Writers Association of America.
The Outland Trophy goes annually to the nation’s top down lineman, including both offense and defense.
Mason, a native of Columbia, Tenn., has helped Georgia Tech lead the ACC in rushing offense over his last two seasons as a starter at guard. The 2014 All-America candidate started all 13 games at right guard last year and made 12 starts at left guard in 2012.
With Mason as a starter, Georgia Tech’s high-powered spread-option offense has finished fourth (2012) and sixth (2013) nationally in rushing offense.
Mason is one of 14 offensive guards on the Outland Trophy watch list. There are 64 players total on the list, including nine from the ACC.
Since 2008, five Yellow Jackets have been picked to the Outland Trophy watch list, including Mason. Omoregie Uzzi was selected in 2011 and 2012, Sean Beford in 2010 and teammates Andrew Gardner and Vance Walker in 2008. Center Craig Page was a national finalist for the trophy in 1998.
Tech’s 2014 season opens Saturday, August 30 at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
