Since he first stepped on the scene at Evans High School, Mason Short has been the “big man” on campus.
Standing 6-foot-5, 305 pounds, the 4-star offensive lineman has commanded major recruiting attention literally before he even played a down of high school football. But Short has lived up to the hype and the billing. Thing is, hype is not what he’s into, especially when it comes to recruiting.
During the high school football season, Evans head football coach Barrett Davis saluted his star lineman for his “throwback” work ethic and approach to the game and the stardom it has brought him.
“Mason just doesn’t really get into that stuff,” Davis said during an October interview. “He just puts his head down, does his work, does everything the coaches ask him. He doesn’t let the hype get to him.”
So when he committed to Alabama last April, you figured it was a commitment that was going to stick, given his persona. And it was, until recently when Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban announced his retirement.
Shortly after, Short announced his de-commitment from Alabama, and just a few hours later, Georgia literally swooped in with head coach Kirby Smart paying a visit to Short by way of his helicopter landing on the turf of Evans’ football field.
Recruiting insiders are saying Georgia is a lock to receive Short. But after getting the chance to chat with Short, I found out he’s all for keeping his options open and taking his time with whatever decision he’s going to make, refusing to let outside noise pressure him.
For example, he took to X to share his excitement for a Jan. 27 visit to Clemson and a Feb. 3 visit to Florida even as he’s fresh off a visit to UGA that was scheduled before the Saban news broke.
Check out our Athlete Spotlight chat with Short as he talks through his reasons for stepping back from Bama aside from Saban’s retirement, his current approach to recruiting, and how it felt to get that visit from the Head Dawg.
STOVALL: Mason, you had a long-standing commitment with Alabama, and you’ve always struck me as the type of person to not be swayed by the recruiting glitz and glamour. That said, how much did Nick Saban’s departure play into your decision to re-open your commitment, and is Alabama still an option for you at this time?
SHORT: “You’re right. I’m not big on the recruiting glitz and glamour at all. That’s why I committed [to Alabama] early. I knew that coach Saban’s retirement may come into play in the coming years. I didn’t make my decision to de-commit until I found out coach Wolf [former Alabama offensive line coach Eric Wolford] would no longer be the o-line coach. My relationship was with him, and I was looking forward to playing for him.”
STOVALL: Sort of a piggy-back on the first question: Did you have a chance to hear from the new coach, Kalen DeBoer, and if so, what are your initial impressions of him?
SHORT: “I did not hear from him personally. I will say, though, that I wish him and the program nothing but good things.”
STOVALL: We saw that not long after you opened up recruiting that the “KirbyCopter” showed up to Evans. How cool of an experience was that, knowing he was coming to see you, and how much is Georgia now in play for you as a college choice?
SHORT: “Coach Smart visiting was pretty great. It’s not lost on me that he could have taken the time to visit thousands of other players, but he chose to come see me and my family. That really means a lot to me. Georgia is definitely in play for me. Not only is it close to home, but it’s an elite program, and they have made it clear they want me to play for them.”
STOVALL: When you chose Alabama, you had a lot of other options — still do. Who are, maybe, your top three or five schools you’re really looking into now, and with an entire senior season at Evans to look forward to, how soon (or how long), will you be looking to make a choice again?
SHORT: “I’m not ready to list top schools at this time. I’ve really taken the last two weeks to process the things that have happened. I have a few visits lined up that I’m looking forward to. I hope to maybe make my decision before next season so my senior season can have my full attention.”
STOVALL: What are some of the things you look for in a good school, both academically and athletically?
SHORT: “All the programs I’ve visited are elite not only athletically but also academically. What will factor into my decision are the relationships I make with the coaches. Where do I see myself fitting and making contributions to the team. Things like that.”
STOVALL: Last question for you, Mason: Aside from navigating all the recruitment talk and buzz, how are you spending your offseason to make yourself better both for your Evans teammates one last time and for whatever school you choose after high school?
SHORT: “I took about two weeks off after the season to heal and rest, and since then I’ve been working out regularly with a trainer and at the gym. I’m always looking to improve on my speed and agility, and, of course, get stronger.”
