One For the History Books: SDSU Top Alum Elite To Kickstart for NFL Side

Mason McCormick earned a reputation for his physical and dominant play on the offensive line during his time at South Dakota State. Now with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL, he is poised to make his first career start. A Sioux Falls native who played high school football at Roosevelt, McCormick is reportedly set to be part of the starting lineup for the Steelers’ game against Indianapolis this Sunday.

According to Mark Kaboly, the Steelers correspondent for the Pat McAfee Show, the Pittsburgh Steelers plan to start fourth-round draft pick Mason McCormick at left guard in Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts. This decision follows McCormick’s rotation into the lineup during Week 3 alongside Spencer Anderson.

This is significant news for the big man who once called Sioux Falls home. Although he has been part of the rotation on a banged-up Steelers offensive line, he will officially make his first start on Sunday.

The article also featured praise from Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin regarding the former Jackrabbit:

“He’s a talented young guy who has excelled in team development. He had a lot of success in college, and no stage is too big for him. He’s not a blinker; he runs to the action,” Tomlin said after McCormick’s rotation in Week 3. “I appreciate the ‘finish mentality’ he brings to his play.”

That ‘finish’ mentality contributed to McCormick’s standout performances while at Brookings, where he was a four-time All-American, earning back-to-back first-team honors in 2022 and 2023.

The undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0) will face the 1-2 Indianapolis Colts this Sunday at noon in Indianapolis.