Michigan Football Early Enrollee Bio: LB Ben Mason

• At Nike’s regional camp in New Jersey, Mason ran a 4.88 40-yard dash and a 4.27 20-yard shuttle. He also recorded a 29.3-inch vertical jump and a 40-foot power throw resulting in a Nike+ Football Rating of 101.11.

• Recorded a bench-press max of 365 pounds and a squat max of 515 pounds as a junior.

• Mason notched 63 tackles, three tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, 0.5 sacks, one pass breakup and an interception returned for a touchdown his senior season. He also had 80 carries for 719 yards and 11 touchdowns, as well as 15 catches for 188 yards and three touchdowns.

• As a junior, he had 113 tackles, including 11 for a loss, along with four sacks, a fumble recovery and four interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns. Mason also ran the ball 43 times for 231 yards and six touchdowns, to go with 24 receptions for 416 yards and nine touchdowns.

• During his sophomore season, Mason notched 110 tackles, six tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown. He also ran the ball 12 times for 53 yards and a touchdown.

• In his freshman year, Mason had 67 tackles, three tackles for a loss and one sack.

• Newton lost just five games with Mason in uniform and reached the state playoffs each year.

• Became the first from Connecticut to be honored on the Parade All-America team since 2013 by earning honorable mention in 2016.

• Named Gatorade 2016 Player of the Year for Connecticut.

• Named New Haven Register Player of the Year as a senior.

• Named to the New Haven Register All-State Team the final three years of his career.

• Named to the USA Today All-USA Connecticut first team and Connecticut Defensive Player of the Year for 2016.

• Named one of the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Top-20 players for 2016.

• Named the Hearst Media Connecticut Football MVP of 2016.

• Named to the 2014-16 Connecticut All-State Football first team as selected by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association.

• 2015 USA Today All-USA Connecticut Football Team Second-Team Linebacker.

• 2014 USA Today All-USA Connecticut Football Team First-Team Linebacker.

• Participated in Nike’s Regional Camp in New Jersey and came away with MVP honors for the linebacker group.

• Committed to Michigan May 2, 2016, prior to his senior season, and never wavered or even officially visited other schools.

• Chose U-M over offers from California, Duke, Pittsburgh and Wisconsin, among others.

• Born May 25, 1999.

• Missed his final game due to an undisclosed injury.

• Tied a state record for career interceptions returned for a touchdown with five. Former MLB manager Bobby Valentine previously held the mark.

• Is already enrolled at Michigan as a December graduate.

Mason is tough to project as a freshman because he has college-ready size but maybe not quite the natural athleticism or learned speed of high-level football, being from Connecticut. He can also play fullback or H-back, however, which gives him value on both sides of the ball. Mason is the kind of worker, with size and strength, who could be valuable on special teams that could eventually evolve into reps here and there on either side of the ball. He’ll be one to watch.

Rivals.com Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst Adam Friedman: “He’s an absolute thumper in the middle of the field. He brings a physical presence, especially against the running game. He comes downhill, sheds blockers and makes plays in the backfield."

Newtown Head Coach Steve George: “Ben is an unusual kid because he has a lot of skills. We’ve used him everywhere on both sides of the ball. He’s very versatile, he has great hands, he blocks well, he tackles everything, he’s smart — he really understands offense and defense. He really has the tools to do everything we ask him to. I expect him to turn some heads at Michigan because he’s that type of kid and he’ll work his way onto the field.”