Jordan Mason
Jordan Mason (born May 24, 1999) is an American football running back for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL).[1][2] Standing at 5 feet 11 inches and weighing approximately 230 pounds, Mason hails from Gallatin, Tennessee, where he developed his skills before attending Georgia Tech.[3][4] Mason played college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets from 2017 to 2021, appearing in 43 games and amassing 2,349 rushing yards on 449 carries with 17 touchdowns, ranking 11th in program history for rushing yards and 15th for rushing attempts.[5][6] After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, he signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent, where he spent three seasons as a depth running back and occasional starter.[7] During his tenure with the 49ers from 2022 to 2024, Mason appeared in 45 games with six starts, rushing for 1,253 yards and seven touchdowns on 236 attempts, while also contributing minimally as a receiver with 14 receptions for 121 yards.[5][1] In March 2025, the 49ers traded Mason to the Vikings in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round draft pick swap (San Francisco's No. 187 for Minnesota's No. 160), positioning him to compete for a more prominent role in Minnesota's backfield alongside established rushers.[8][7] Known for his powerful running style and burst speed, Mason has emerged as a reliable complementary back with potential for expanded usage in his new team.[1]Early life and high school career
Early life
Jordan Mason was born on May 24, 1999, in Gallatin, Tennessee.[9] He grew up in the close-knit community of Gallatin, a small town north of Nashville, where family and local traditions shaped his formative years.[10] Raised in a supportive family as one of three siblings, Mason benefited from strong parental encouragement in pursuing athletics.[11] His father, William Mason, was particularly influential, providing guidance and hands-on support that helped foster his initial passion for football from a young age.[12] The family environment emphasized discipline and dedication.[13] This early exposure laid the groundwork for his athletic journey, as he immersed himself in the sport amid Gallatin's community-oriented setting. Mason later transitioned to high school football at Gallatin High School.[11]High school career
Jordan Mason attended Gallatin High School in Gallatin, Tennessee, from 2013 to 2017, where he played football for the Gallatin Green Wave. As a senior in 2016, he emerged as a standout running back, leading the team in rushing with 2,050 yards and 23 touchdowns on 259 carries, averaging 7.9 yards per carry.[14][15] Mason broke the school's single-game rushing record twice in consecutive weeks during the season, establishing a new mark of 307 yards, and served as team captain.[16] He was recognized locally as a "rock" for the team, contributing significantly despite the Green Wave's 6-5 record and first-round playoff exit.[14] Mason earned several honors for his performance, including selection to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA) Class 5A All-State Team and being named the Region 6-5A Most Valuable Player.[17] He was also named Player of the Year on the 39th Annual All-Sumner County Football Team and became a finalist for Tennessee's Mr. Football award in Class 5A.[14][18] Scouts praised his physical running style, vision, and versatility as a powerful back capable of breaking tackles.[19] During his recruitment, Mason, rated as a three-star prospect and the No. 92 running back nationally by major scouting services, received offers from programs including Georgia Tech, Iowa State, Middle Tennessee State, Ball State, UTSA, and Navy.[20][19] He committed to Georgia Tech on January 16, 2017, following an official visit, closing out his recruitment process.[21][22]College career
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Jordan Mason joined Georgia Tech in 2017 as a highly recruited running back from Gallatin High School in Tennessee, where he had committed earlier that year following a standout senior season. He redshirted his freshman year to preserve a year of eligibility, allowing him to develop within the Yellow Jackets' triple-option offense without immediate game action.[16] As a redshirt freshman in 2018, Mason emerged as a valuable backup running back, appearing in all 13 games and contributing to Georgia Tech's 7-6 season that culminated in a Quick Lane Bowl berth. He rushed for 659 yards and seven touchdowns on 108 carries, averaging 6.1 yards per attempt, and provided depth behind starter KirVontez Lloyd in the team's run-heavy scheme. His performances helped the Yellow Jackets rank among the ACC's top rushing attacks, though he primarily served in a complementary role.[6][16] In his sophomore year of 2019, Mason solidified his status as a key contributor, starting multiple games and leading the team in rushing with 899 yards and seven touchdowns over 12 appearances, earning third-team All-ACC honors. He showcased his powerful, contact-balance running style in ACC matchups, including a career-high 141 yards on 20 carries against Miami and 99 yards with a touchdown versus UCF, but suffered a season-altering injury during a game at Florida State that sidelined him for the next five contests. Despite the setback, Mason returned late in the year, demonstrating resilience and finishing seventh in the ACC in rushing yards while adapting to head coach Geoff Collins' shift toward a more pro-style elements within the option framework.[6][16][23] Mason's junior campaign in 2020 was limited to six games due to a combination of injuries and the shortened COVID-19-affected schedule, where he still managed 352 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 82 attempts. He posted a season-best 105 yards against Duke, highlighting his between-the-tackles prowess in short-yardage situations amid a transitional offense under Collins. By his redshirt senior year in 2021, Mason had evolved into a more prominent starter, playing all 12 games and serving as the team's second-leading rusher with 439 yards and one touchdown, often powering through defenses in Georgia Tech's persistent option attack. Over his four active seasons, he appeared in 43 games, amassing 2,349 career rushing yards to rank 11th in program history, and became known for his tough, north-south running approach that complemented the Yellow Jackets' emphasis on physical ground play.[6][16][24][25] Following the 2021 season, in which Georgia Tech finished 3-9, Mason declared for the 2022 NFL Draft, forgoing potential additional eligibility to pursue a professional career.[25]College statistics
Jordan Mason recorded 449 rushing attempts for 2,349 yards and 17 rushing touchdowns during his Georgia Tech career, ranking 11th in program history for rushing yards and 15th for rushing attempts. He also had 25 receptions for 202 receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown, contributing to career all-purpose yardage of 2,551. These figures underscore his role in the Yellow Jackets' run-heavy option offense, where he progressed from a backup redshirt freshman in 2018 (659 yards) to a featured back in 2019 (899 yards), before fewer opportunities in the COVID-shortened 2020 season (352 yards) and his 2021 senior year (439 yards) amid shared backfield duties.Rushing Statistics
| Year | Games | Attempts | Yards | Average | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 13 | 108 | 659 | 6.1 | 7 |
| 2019 | 12 | 172 | 899 | 5.2 | 7 |
| 2020 | 6 | 82 | 352 | 4.3 | 2 |
| 2021 | 12 | 87 | 439 | 5.0 | 1 |
| Career | 43 | 449 | 2,349 | 5.2 | 17 |
Receiving Statistics
| Year | Games | Receptions | Yards | Average | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 12 | 7 | 43 | 6.1 | 0 |
| 2020 | 6 | 7 | 72 | 10.3 | 0 |
| 2021 | 12 | 10 | 85 | 8.5 | 1 |
| Career | 43 | 25 | 202 | 8.1 | 1 |
Professional career
San Francisco 49ers (2022–2024)
Jordan Mason signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022, following a strong senior season at Georgia Tech where he rushed for over 900 yards.[26] He earned a spot on the initial 53-man roster out of training camp and spent his rookie year primarily as a depth piece behind Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell, appearing in 16 games with limited snaps on the active roster. Mason recorded 43 carries for 258 yards and one touchdown, averaging 6.0 yards per attempt, while also contributing on special teams.[2][27] In 2023, Mason served as a reliable backup in all 17 regular-season games without a start, totaling 40 carries for 206 yards and three touchdowns at 5.2 yards per carry. A highlight came in Week 17 against the Las Vegas Raiders, where he scored his first NFL touchdown on a 14-yard run late in the game, helping secure a 37-34 victory that clinched the NFC's top seed; he finished with 51 rushing yards in that contest.[27][28] His efficient, physical running complemented head coach Kyle Shanahan's outside-zone blocking scheme, earning praise for his vision and burst through gaps, as Mason himself noted the 49ers' system suited his downhill style perfectly.[24] Mason's contributions extended to the playoffs, where the 49ers advanced to Super Bowl LVIII after winning the NFC Championship, though his role remained limited with just one carry for no gain in the title game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Mason's 2024 season marked a breakout, as injuries to McCaffrey elevated him to a starting role in six of 12 games, where he rushed 153 times for 789 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 5.2 yards per carry—a career high in volume and production. Key performances included a season-opening 147-yard, one-touchdown effort on 28 carries against the New York Jets, powering a 32-19 win without McCaffrey, and a 123-yard outing versus the New England Patriots in Week 4.[29][2] Shanahan lauded Mason's preparation and physicality, noting his ability to grind out tough yards fit seamlessly into the zone scheme, helping the 49ers maintain a potent ground attack en route to another NFC Championship appearance.[30] As an exclusive rights free agent entering 2024, Mason signed his tender to remain with the team, and ahead of the 2025 offseason, the 49ers placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on him worth approximately $5.35 million on March 11, securing his rights before his eventual departure.[31]Minnesota Vikings (2025–present)
On March 15, 2025, the San Francisco 49ers traded running back Jordan Mason to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a 2025 draft pick swap (Minnesota's No. 160 in the fifth round for San Francisco's No. 187 in the sixth round) and Minnesota's 2026 sixth-round draft pick.[32] Following the deal, Mason signed a two-year contract extension with the Vikings valued at $7 million in fully guaranteed money at signing, with performance incentives that could elevate the maximum value to $12 million. Mason entered the 2025 season as the primary backup to veteran Aaron Jones in head coach Kevin O'Connell's run-first offensive system, which prioritizes a balanced ground attack. Through the first ten weeks, he appeared in nine games, handling 102 carries for 444 rushing yards at a 4.4-yard average and scoring four touchdowns, while adding 6 receptions for 47 yards as a receiver.[1] His previous tenure with the 49ers equipped him with a strong power-running base that has translated effectively to the Vikings' scheme. Key highlights for Mason include multiple 100-yard rushing performances, such as his 116-yard, two-touchdown outing against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3, demonstrating his growing comfort with O'Connell's versatile playbook that incorporates both inside zone runs and outside stretches. He has also contributed in short-yardage situations, adding depth to a backfield that relies on complementary skill sets. As of November 16, 2025, Mason is active on the Vikings' 53-man roster, positioned for a potentially larger workload if injuries impact Jones or other depth pieces.NFL career statistics
Regular season
Jordan Mason's NFL regular season career began as an undrafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers in 2022, where he initially saw limited action as a backup running back before emerging as a more prominent contributor in subsequent seasons. As of Week 10 of the 2025 season with the Minnesota Vikings, Mason has accumulated 338 rushing attempts for 1,697 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns, along with 26 receptions for 166 receiving yards.[2] Mason's role evolved from situational carries in his rookie year to a starting position in 2024, during which he had a breakout season with the 49ers, rushing for a career-high 789 yards. His career rushing average stands at 5.0 yards per carry, reflecting his efficiency as a power runner.[2][27] The following table summarizes Mason's regular season statistics by year:| Year | Team | Games | Starts | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Rec Yds | Fmb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | SFO | 16 | 0 | 43 | 258 | 6.0 | 55 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | SFO | 17 | 0 | 40 | 206 | 5.2 | 26 | 3 | 3 | 31 | 0 |
| 2024 | SFO | 12 | 6 | 153 | 789 | 5.2 | 38 | 3 | 11 | 91 | 3 |
| 2025 | MIN | 9 | 4 | 102 | 444 | 4.4 | 24 | 4 | 12 | 44 | 2 |
| Total | 54 | 10 | 338 | 1,697 | 5.0 | 55 | 11 | 26 | 166 | 5 |
Playoffs
Jordan Mason has appeared in six NFL playoff games, all during his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. As a backup running back behind Christian McCaffrey, Mason's postseason role was primarily on special teams, with minimal offensive contributions that reflected his depth chart position during the 49ers' deep playoff runs, including two NFC Championship appearances.[2] In the 2022 postseason, Mason recorded his lone playoff rushing attempts in the Wild Card Round win over the Seattle Seahawks on January 14, 2023, gaining 12 yards on two carries. He saw no offensive snaps in the subsequent Divisional Round victory against the Dallas Cowboys or the NFC Championship Game loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.[33][34] Mason appeared in all three games of the 2023 postseason but did not receive any rushing attempts, logging just five offensive snaps total while contributing on special teams in the Divisional Round win versus the Green Bay Packers, the NFC Championship victory over the Detroit Lions, and the Super Bowl LVIII overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.[33] The San Francisco 49ers did not qualify for the 2024 postseason, during which Mason served as a starter in the regular season due to injuries. Following his trade to the Minnesota Vikings in March 2025, Mason has not yet participated in additional playoff games as of November 2025, with the 2025 season ongoing.[35][2] Overall, Mason's playoff rushing totals stand at 2 attempts for 12 yards, averaging 6.0 yards per carry, with no touchdowns across his six appearances and no starts.[2]| Postseason Year | Games | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Opponents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 6.0 | 0 | vs. SEA, DAL, @PHI |
| 2023 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | vs. GNB, DET, @KC |
| Career | 6 | 2 | 12 | 6.0 | 0 | — |