6’5″ 230 lbs, All Conference, wrestling background, and a 4.37 shuttle. And that is just his Twitter bio. The senior DE out of Waukesha West is a gifted athlete. Length and a well filled out frame make Mason a difficult matchup because he can win with a mix of power and speed. The DE also does an outstanding job of playing smart. He knows when he needs to stay home and set the edge, when he can utilize his pass rushing talents to get after the QB, and does a great job reading when to crash down the line of scrimmage. The senior is long, strong, smart, athletic and still uncommitted. He is a must watch.

The edge position is loaded here in WI with rare length, quickness, and overall athleticism. Mason is a great example of it. The 6’5″ DE/Edge played in a two and three point stance this season and put out great tape doing each. Mason is doing a great job of putting his tools to use. He plays with his hands, maintaining separation and keeping himself clean while getting around OTs quickly. He has an explosive first step off the line and closing speed when he gets into the backfield. The ’26 edge defender also has shown that he can play with the bend needed to rush the edge effectively. Mason ended the season banged up, but by the summer he will be itching to dominate OTs again. It will be interesting to see if we have to wait until then for that first offer, though.

To fully maximize the talent that our perfect DL prospect can have from just his frame build we need an athlete with elite length. Mason has length and then some on his 6’5″ frame. The kid understands how to use it to his advantage as well. Throughout his highlights you consistently see the separation he maintains when battling a lineman. When a lineman can’t get in close to control you it gives the DL a huge advantage in the 1 on 1 battle. Mason makes sure that advantage is on his side at one of the best rates I have seen. Our perfect DL recruit needs to have his length and use of that length.

We are back for another season of watching Mason dominate off the edge from a two or three point stance. The junior DE/OLB has put on a good 10-15 lbs this offseason, filling out that frame that has all the length you could hope for off the edge. Even with the added size, Mason possesses exceptional movement skills and body control. You see his ability to be lightning quick with his lateral movements while rushing the passer. His get off pairs a long stride with a quick, powerful initial burst allowing him to cover a lot of ground quickly off the bat. That quickness allows him to cross the face of OL when attacking inside gaps too. The range flashes in Week 1 too as he makes chase down plays from behind, across the backfield. The stud DL is off to a great start in 2024.

Mason Black Mason Black 6'5" | 220 lbs | DL/EDGE Waukesha West | 2026 State WI is poised to have his breakout year in 2024. The 6’5″ DE has always had elite length while in HS. What he has lacked was some quality size on his frame, but the incoming junior is reportedly up to 220 lbs now. No doubt there is plenty of room for even more size on him, but to see that he is able to put size on is a plus for next level coaches.

On the field, that extra size is going to be a difference maker. Last season we saw how quick he can be off the line and how much ground his long strides can cover in a short amount of time as he would get to the QB within a few steps it seemed like. The junior has also done a great job of learning to use his hands early in his career and as a sophomore was very effective with them.

Now as a junior, look for the growing DE to start winning with power. Look for him to start setting a strong edge vs the run and being able to overpower OTs when he wants. Showing a mix of wins with speed/agility and power is going to really start to prove how talented and well rounded he is as a prospect. A big year is loading up for the DE.