By B.A. Marseille
Grady Sports Bureau
ATHENS -- Hutson Mason lined up under center during a passing drill, dropped back, set his feet and launched a pass the led his receiver over 50 yards down the field.
A perfect spiral, save for the fact that Mason overthrew receiver Chris Conley by a few yards.
“[I wanted to prove] that I could throw the ball deep,” Mason said. “ I have the arm strength. At the end of the day, overthrowing a couple of deep balls isn’t the worst thing in the world.”
Mason took to the field on Wednesday afternoon in the Butts-Mehre Football Complex at the University of Georgia for the Bulldogs' pro day.
It was his last chance to convince one NFL team to take flier on him with a pick in the NFL draft, which is set for April 30 through May 2 in Chicago.
Mason showed off his accuracy, touch and oft-criticized arm strength in 63-pass scripted routine.
Mason completed 56 of 63 attempts, including seven of eight in the red zone. He missed a few receivers on comeback routes while on the move, and a few of his initial passes for 30 or more yards wobbled or lacked velocity.
Still, it was a solid day for Mason, who’s projected by nfldraftscout.com to be selected in the seventh round or go undrafted.
“If I had to put a letter grade on it, like a B, B-(minus), something like that,” said Mason, who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.79 seconds.
This was the latest part of the pre-draft process for Mason, who ended his first and only year as a starter with an injury in the Belk Bowl and competed in the East-West Shrine Game in January.
Mason took part in the pro day along with 18 other former Georgia teammates, including Conley. The duo, who worked out with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week and have plans to visit the Dallas Cowboys, “put on a good show” in Conley’s words.
“I think some teams are taking a second look at him,” Conley said. “He’s gotten good reviews from coaches, and scouts that I’ve talked to were impressed by what he did today.”
Pro days don’t make or break quarterbacks, but wide receiver and roommate Michael Bennett believes Mason may have earned himself a spot to training camp this summer.
“I think he’ll definitely get an invite,” said Bennett, who’s rehabbing an ACL tear and watched from the sidelines. “He’s going to excel because he’s just a smart football player. He’s going to bring some of his real poise in the pocket and has a real NFL-type style of play ”
Unlike many quarterbacks entering the draft, Mason has experience in the pro-style offense under former offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. Mason pointed out his advantage in reading coverages and knowing when to anticipate the blitz, a steep learning curve for most young quarterbacks.
Mason is aware of his projected draft status, and admitted that he won’t watch, but will have his phone on hand in case he’s chosen. Much like his college career, he’s waiting for his chance.
“If I don’t get drafted it’s not the end of the world,” Mason said. “The league is made up of free agents. I know I’ll get an invite to camp, and from there it’s what you do with your opportunity.”
The Grady Sports Bureau is part of the sports media program at the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication.
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