Why Did Derrick Mason Leave Auburn?

John Rizzo

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Derrick Mason is a 48-year old wide receiver who played in the NFL from 1997 to 2011. He attended Detroit’s Mumford High School and then Michigan State University before being drafted by the Tennessee Oilers/Titans in the fourth round of the 1997 draft.

During his career, he was selected for two Pro Bowls (2000 & 2003) and earned First Team All-Pro honors in 2000.

His career totals include 973 receptions for 12,061 yards and 66 touchdowns along with 5,086 return yards and three TDs as a kick returner or punt returner.

Mason will be remembered as one of the most productive receivers of his era.

Derrick Mason
Source: www.baltimorebeatdown.com

Personal Information of Derrick Mason

Birth PlaceDetroit, MI
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 10 in
WeightAround 89 kg
Marital StatusMarried
Wife/Spouse (Name)LeighAnne

Stats

Receiving
seasonTeam
1997
TEN
1998
TEN
1999
TEN
2000
TEN
2001
TEN
2002
TEN
2003
TEN
2004
TEN
2005
BAL
2006
BAL
2007
BAL
2008
BAL
2009
BAL
2010
BAL
2011
NYJ
2011
HOU
Career
GPRECTGTSYDSAVGTDLNGFDFUMLST
1614018613.3038811
1625033313.33471900
13808911.1031500
1663089514.25344500
157301,12815.59715000
147901,01212.85405611
169501,30313.78506800
169601,16812.27376700
168601,07312.53395211
166811075011.02384510
161031641,08710.65796011
16801211,03713.05546021
16731321,02814.17725500
166110080213.17424400
513211158.8030700
7613559.2016400
23094366112,06112.8667964575
Rushing
seasonTeam
1997
TEN
2000
TEN
2003
TEN
2004
TEN
2006
BAL
2008
BAL
2009
BAL
Career
GPCARYDSAVGTDLNGFDFUMLST
161-7-7.00-7000
16111.001000
163113.707100
161-3-3.00-3000
161-4-4.00-4000
16133.003000
16122.002000
230930.307100
Returning
seasonTeam
1997
TEN
1998
TEN
1999
TEN
2000
TEN
2001
TEN
2002
TEN
2003
TEN
2004
TEN
Career
puntskickoffs
GPATTYDSTDFCLNGATTYDSTDKRFCLNG
1613950329265510054
16312280112581540026
132622511565418050041
165166211769421,1320066
1520128019203474810101
149600122100000
16899052151060034
1624930121300000
2301821,590294691563,49610101
Defensive
seasonTeam
2001
TEN
2004
TEN
2005
BAL
2007
BAL
2008
BAL
2009
BAL
2010
BAL
Career
GPTOTSOLOASTSACKFFFRYDSINTYDSAVGTDLNGPDSTFSTFYDSKB
152200000000.0000000
164400000000.0000000
163300000000.0000000
165500000000.0000000
162200000000.0000000
163210000000.0000000
163300000000.0000000
230222110000000.0000000
Scoring
seasonTeam
1998
TEN
1999
TEN
2000
TEN
2001
TEN
2002
TEN
2003
TEN
2004
TEN
2005
BAL
2006
BAL
2007
BAL
2008
BAL
2009
BAL
2010
BAL
Career
GPPASSRUSHRECRETTD2PTPATFGPTS
160030300018
13000110006
160051600036
1500911010062
140050500030
160080800048
160070700042
160030300018
160020200012
160050500030
160050510032
160070700042
160070700042
2300066369200418

Early years

Derrick Mason was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He attended Mumford High School where he quickly established himself as a talented football player.

During his high school career, Derrick set the record for most catches (70) and receiving yards (1,243). His impressive performance earned him recognition from various universities across the nation including University of Michigan and Ohio State University who were both interested in signing him up to their squads.

However, Derrick chose to pursue his college education at Michigan State University instead because it offered him some of the best facilities that would help further enhance his already exceptional talent on the field. Additionally, he also wanted to stay close home so that family could be nearby when needed during difficult times or celebrations after wins.

At MSU Derrick continued making waves with spectacular performances each time taking them closer towards victory than ever before by catching several touchdowns over three seasons in which he played there. It is no surprise then why NFL scouts had taken notice of this rising star since early days itself eventually leading up to an invitation from Tennessee Titans – a team whom later signed him up soon after graduation.

College career

Derrick Mason had a successful college football career at Michigan State. He was an impact player for the Spartans from his freshman year, when he set a team record of 2,384 kick off return yards.

During his four-year stint with Michigan State, Mason also caught eight touchdowns and made numerous game winning plays to seal victories for his team. Mason’s first collegiate season was in 1996 where he started five games as wide receiver while appearing in all 11 contests that year.

His performance earned him Big Ten All Freshman honors as well being named MVP of the Independence Bowl against Louisiana Tech University which ended in victory due to two touchdown passes thrown by Derrick himself which sealed the deal 28-25. In 1997, Mason became one of only three players on offense to start every game and ended up leading the Spartan receivers with 33 catches totaling 530 yards and 4 TDs., earning Big Ten Player Of The Week Honors Twice during this period.

That same year, he returned 32 kicks for 739 total yards averaging 23 per attempt including a long run back of 97 yarder vs Indiana university In 1998, mason continued showing great form starting 10 out 12 games tallying 42 receptions good enough for 614 receiving yards nd 3 tds along side 27 kick returns collecting 608yards amd 1td.

He capped off is junior campaign becoming only second Spartan ever selected to play n College Football Senior Bowl. 1999 Was final season at MSU recording 36 recpetions 536 yrds amd td plus 19 kickoff returns 323ydsand 0TD As result, his efforts were rewarded through selection AP Second Team All American honour alongside First -Team honours within Midwestern Conference.

NCAA Division I–A consensus all America selections following senior Campaign To wrap it Up derrick Masons accomplishment throughout college are impressive setting many records while helping secure multiple wins over opposing teams contributing greatly towards overall success achieved by Michigan state.

Professional career

Derrick Mason began his professional career with the Oilers/Titans in 1997 when he was drafted in the fourth round. In his rookie season, he played 16 games and recorded 14 catches for 186 yards.

The following year he played all 16 games again and had 25 catches for 333 yards as well as 3 touchdowns; one of these coming against Chicago Bears on October 25th. In 1999, Derrick set an NFL record by gaining 1,030 combined receiving and special teams yardage while also returning 8 kickoffs for 322 yards during three playoffs which eventually led to Super Bowl XXXIV where returned 5 kicks offs earning 122 yards along with 2 passes 18yards long- a loss of 23–16 overall.

During 2000 season Mason managed to top Lionel James’ previous record (2,535) by getting 2,690 combined receiving & special team’s yardage making him only second player from Titans history to pass such mark followed by Pro bowl recognition that same year.

The next two years saw him leading Titan’s categories like receptions, reception yds & TDs before 2003 came around starting all 16 matches marking 95 receptions -5th highest ranker at NFL level- alongside 1303 yds total receiving yds followed up 2004 scoring 96 receptions & 1168yds giving him 7TDs altogether over course of 4 seasons since 2001.

Why Did Derrick Mason Leave Auburn?

Derrick Mason, a well-respected defensive coach, left Auburn in 2021 for Oklahoma State, despite taking a pay cut of $400,000. There could be various reasons for his decision to leave Auburn. One possible reason could be that he was not happy with the team’s performance and wanted to join a program where he could have a bigger impact.

Oklahoma State may have offered him a better opportunity to showcase his coaching abilities and build a successful defense. Additionally, Mason may have had personal or professional reasons for wanting to move to a different program. It’s also possible that he had a difference of opinion with the Auburn coaching staff or management, which led to his decision to leave.

Whatever the reason, it’s clear that Mason was determined to move on from Auburn and join Oklahoma State, even if it meant taking a pay cut.

NFL career statistics

Derrick Mason is a former American football wide receiver who played for the Tennessee Titans from 2000-2004 and 2007–2010. During his tenure with the team, he set several franchise records including most receptions (471), receiving yards (5,777) and touchdown catches (29).

He also holds single season records for receptions in a season (96) and receiving yards in one game (218). In addition to setting franchise marks during his time as a Titan, Mason was voted into two Pro Bowls while playing with them. Mason’s career began when he was drafted by the Tennessee Titans back in 1997 out of Michigan State University.

After spending three seasons mostly on special teams roles or on practice squads elsewhere, Mason became an integral part of the offense when he joined up with then coach Jeff Fisher’s squad before the millennium year. As mentioned above, Derrick ranked first among all other receivers within this period regarding total touchdowns caught along with leading all others concerning.

Overall yardage gain at 5778 Tallying over 1000 more than second place Kevin Dyson whom held 4654 Yards accumulated through air attack approaches made by Steve McNair throughout their 9 shared years involved together between 1999 -2007.

Not only did Derrick lead this group offensively but defensively proved to be just as efficient taking away 7 interceptions which rank him third amongst any player ever donning Number 85 jersey in Nashville recording 2 pick sixes, One each against Jacksonville Jaguars & New York Jets respectively. His performances brought awareness towards himself not only locally but Nationally being rewarded multiple times annually earning All Pros honors twice consecutively ‘02/03 & 03/04 joining elite company such us Earl Campbell, Eddie George etc.

Even after departing from Music City following 2004 campaign Mase would return home again 3 years later where eventually announced retirement immediately following 2010 Season which came full circle almost 13 Years prior since entering league initially off selection board due diligence conducted by late GM Floyd Reese during 97 Draft Class festivities held that April evening inside NYC Theater District.

Personal life

Derrick Mason is a former American football wide receiver who played for the Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans and New York Jets. He is married to Marci since June 7, 1997 and has two children – Bailee My-Lin and Derrick James II.

Mason was born in Detroit, Michigan but grew up in Texas where he attended high school at William B Travis High School located in Austin. After graduating from high school he went on to play college football at Michigan State University before being drafted by the Tennessee Titans during the third round of the NFL Draft as pick number 98 overall.

During his entire 15 year professional career with three different teams (Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens & New York Jets) Mason managed to accumulate over 12000 yards receiving making him one of only 22 players ever able to do so. His passion didn’t just stop there though; after retiring from playing professionally he became an analyst for CBS Sports Network’s Inside College Football show which aired every Saturday night during college football season until 2016 when it ended airing due its cancellation.

Off field endeavors include founding The Derrick Mason Foundation alongside wife Marci who serves as Vice President of this organization that helps underprivileged students achieve their educational goals through scholarships awarding them financial aid should they need it upon graduation or transfer into higher education institutions such community colleges etc.

Additionally, his involvement also includes becoming part owner/investor within various businesses like Subway franchises throughout Maryland area amongst others investments outside sports-related fields showing true dedication towards business ventures beyond what many know him solely off having accomplished while playing pro ball.

To Recap

Derrick Mason is a former wide receiver who played in the NFL from 1997 to 2011. He was born on January 17, 1974 in Detroit, Michigan and attended Mumford High School before playing college football at Michigan State.

During his professional career he spent time with the Tennessee Oilers / Titans, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets and Houston Texans. Mason was an All-Pro selection following the 2000 season and earned Pro Bowl selections after that year as well as 2003.

When all was said and done he finished with 973 receptions for 12061 yards and 66 touchdowns plus 586 return yards and 3 scores. His legacy of excellence will always be remembered by fans of each team he represented during his NFL stints throughout his 14 seasons in the league

Photo of author

John Rizzo

I am a professional rugby player in the Washington DC-Baltimore area. I have been playing rugby for over 10 years and have had the opportunity to play in many different countries. I am also a coach for both youth and adult rugby teams. I graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a degree in Sports Management and Marketing. I am currently working on my MPA from American University and plan to pursue this career path after graduating next year. LinkedIn

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