Prospect Spotlight: Mason Wilson – Stillwater (2022)

When the 2019 season ended for Stillwater’s [player_tooltip player_id="116194" first="Mason" last="Wilson"], he wrapped up a solid season starting on the Ponies’ varsity team’s defensive line. While he was a contributing member of the team, Wilson didn’t like where he was as an athlete. He made some drastic changes, and his body went through a drastic change – making him a more valuable member of the Ponies’ football team. "It all started in the January after my sophomore season," Wilson said. "I was about 273 pounds at my heaviest. I just decided I didn’t want to be big and overweight like that – that is really all it was. I was sick of being overweight. I wasn’t the athlete I wanted to be." Already a regular in the weight room, Wilson’s change came mainly from a dedication to a new diet. "I would have a bowl of cereal – the crappy tasting, healthy stuff – in the morning," Wilson said. "I would have a salad for lunch and then a light dinner. Then I was lifting all the time. When quarantine hit, I started running and stayed active." He ended up losing too much weight. "I lost 50 pounds and ended up getting down to 217 pounds right around August," Wilson explained. "I realized I couldn’t play defensive line at that weight, so I had to switch my diet again with a lot of protein and put on about ten pounds of good weight. I was leaner, faster, and stronger, which I think helped me get the All-Conference nod. My forty time went from a 5.35 to a 4.95 in a matter of six months. When I got to the weight I wanted, I actually liked sprinting. It felt like I was flying." With Stillwater’s recent track record on the football field not where the program wants it, Wilson felt the 2020 season was a step in the right direction. "I think this year was a turning point for the program. We were coming out of a rough patch. Ponies’ football used to be the Eden Prairie of Minnesota football. Even though we only finished 4-3, it was great to finish with a winning record and win the conference. It helped change the culture going into the next season." They won the old-fashioned way – upfront. "We overpowered teams. On both sides of the ball, our lines were dominant." Wilson felt his overall game was better his second year starting. "My season was interesting. I had a decent season, but it is tough playing in a 3-4 to make the most impact as a defensive lineman. Still, everything slowed down a ton going from my sophomore year to my junior year. I was always out on the edge and never came inside this year. I was generally on the left side. When we would shift into a four-man line would bounce outside." Wilson feels his strength on the field has nothing to do with actual strength. "I know football. I understand the game overall. I study the game. People like to talk about my get off, but I think play recognition is my strength." Wilson’s dramatic drop in weight changed his body and the type of player he is. "I was a straight power guy - I would lock onto a lineman and fill up space. In my junior year, I was more disruptive – especially in the passing game. How we were able to get after the passer as a defensive line helped us a lot this year." His weight loss also led to an expanded role. He played on both sides of the ball. "My strength as a tight end is run blocking and coming down on a guy with my tackle – pancaking guys." Wilson knows his primary position will always be on the defensive side of the ball. "I need to work on my hand fighting and my pass rush moves. Every time I go through a door, I will do a club, swim or a club, chop or something like that." The skill he is focused on offensively is a testament to his hard work before his junior year. "They plan on spreading me out a little bit on offense this year, so I need to work on my releases." Two years ago, Wilson was north of 270 pounds, and now he will be counted on to split out wide in some formations. Wilson lifted this winter and has been talking to colleges in the Midwest. "I have been in contact with North Dakota State, South Dakota State, and North Dakota," Wilson told prepredzonemn.com. "I have had some contact with Iowa and Iowa State. They love my get-off. They like my film, the way I play and my effort." The 6’3" 240-pound junior also has interest from Ivy League schools. "I have always been told school comes before sports, so I have always taken school seriously. I am a grinder. I grind in football, and I grind in school – that is  what I do." He was a grinder when it came to his body too – leading to more playing time in high school and likely leading to more football after high school.