'New' Mason Enjoying Fresh Start
8/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aaron Mason isn't new to the Montana State football program, but he feels like it. And it starts with the number on his back.
"It's a new beginning," Mason said after MSU's practice on Tuesday, the Bobcats' second practice of fall camp. Mason returned to Bobcat camp this fall wearing number three.
"I felt I let my teammates down by gaining over 30 pounds the summer between my freshman and my sophomore year," he said. "I felt like I needed a new identity to help the team, and not be the old (number) 25 I used to be."
The reinvigorated junior, who set a rushing record for MSU freshman with 645 yards in 2006, has opened eyes. "Aaron Mason looks like a different person," Bobcat coach Rob Ash said. "He is really growing up and maturing. He's taken off some of the weight that wasn't working for him and he's in great shape. He's practicing very hard, he looks fast, and he's showing a great attitude and work ethic."
Mason said recommitting to the program and his college football career began when school ended at MSU last spring. "I told the coaches I was going to stay this summer, and I dedicated myself to working out to do what I can to help this team out," he said. "I felt I didn't contribute in the ways I could to go from a 6-5 team to probably (being) a team that makes the playoff with two explosive backs."
Offensive coordinator and running backs coach Dale Ploessl has also noticed the change. "It's like a whole new Aaron," he says. "He looks great."
Mason is part of an impressive stable of running backs. Senior Demetrius Crawford led MSU in rushing last fall, and remains a physical and emotional presence. Sophomore Blayde Becksted, who came to MSU as a walk-on, proved his mettle during spring drills, while new freshmen CJ Palmer and Ricky Evans have impressed early in camp.
Bridging the gap, though, is Mason. One of the veterans in the Bobcat program, the Imperial Beach, Calif., native still relates to the younger players. "It makes me feel kind of old," he says with a laugh, "even though I'm still 19 years old. It's weird feeling, like I just got out of high school but now I'm a junior in college, it just feels crazy to me. It's crazy that some of these younger guys look up to me (as a veteran) even though they're about the same age as me."
Ash said Mason's commitment to conditioning during the summer is paying dividends. "The shape Aaron is in right now really shows why Division I coaches want their players in town and working out during the summer," Ash said. "He worked hard, and he's in great shape, and it's translating to performance in practice."
"It's a new beginning," Mason said after MSU's practice on Tuesday, the Bobcats' second practice of fall camp. Mason returned to Bobcat camp this fall wearing number three.
"I felt I let my teammates down by gaining over 30 pounds the summer between my freshman and my sophomore year," he said. "I felt like I needed a new identity to help the team, and not be the old (number) 25 I used to be."
The reinvigorated junior, who set a rushing record for MSU freshman with 645 yards in 2006, has opened eyes. "Aaron Mason looks like a different person," Bobcat coach Rob Ash said. "He is really growing up and maturing. He's taken off some of the weight that wasn't working for him and he's in great shape. He's practicing very hard, he looks fast, and he's showing a great attitude and work ethic."
Mason said recommitting to the program and his college football career began when school ended at MSU last spring. "I told the coaches I was going to stay this summer, and I dedicated myself to working out to do what I can to help this team out," he said. "I felt I didn't contribute in the ways I could to go from a 6-5 team to probably (being) a team that makes the playoff with two explosive backs."
Offensive coordinator and running backs coach Dale Ploessl has also noticed the change. "It's like a whole new Aaron," he says. "He looks great."
Mason is part of an impressive stable of running backs. Senior Demetrius Crawford led MSU in rushing last fall, and remains a physical and emotional presence. Sophomore Blayde Becksted, who came to MSU as a walk-on, proved his mettle during spring drills, while new freshmen CJ Palmer and Ricky Evans have impressed early in camp.
Bridging the gap, though, is Mason. One of the veterans in the Bobcat program, the Imperial Beach, Calif., native still relates to the younger players. "It makes me feel kind of old," he says with a laugh, "even though I'm still 19 years old. It's weird feeling, like I just got out of high school but now I'm a junior in college, it just feels crazy to me. It's crazy that some of these younger guys look up to me (as a veteran) even though they're about the same age as me."
Ash said Mason's commitment to conditioning during the summer is paying dividends. "The shape Aaron is in right now really shows why Division I coaches want their players in town and working out during the summer," Ash said. "He worked hard, and he's in great shape, and it's translating to performance in practice."
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