Heisman Trophy preview: Predictions, dreams come true for Auburn's Tre Mason
AUBURN, Alabama -- For all of the records and numbers Tre Mason has shattered and recorded, the Auburn running back is just as impressive as a prognosticator.
In fact, he's 2-for-2 in 2013.
The Heisman Trophy finalist predicted a potential run to the national championship in early October, when a 4-1 Auburn team looked like everything but a BCS-caliber team. The Tigers fulfilled that prophetic message Saturday thanks in most part to Mason's record-breaking 304 yards and four touchdowns against Missouri in the SEC Championship.
His other prediction? Well, that one came true, too, and it's why the SEC's top running back is in New York City today for the Heisman Trophy ceremony.
'I remember saying my goal at the beginning of the season was 1,500 yards and people said, 'Oh, yeah, that's too much,'' Mason said. 'Like mom said, whatever you put your mind to you can achieve. I surpassed that and I'm looking forward to keep doing it.'
If you're wondering, Mason doesn't have a prediction for the Heisman ceremony, which will end with the winner taking the stage Saturday at 7 p.m. Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston is the favorite to win the award, but Mason could finish second in one of the tightest races outside of the predicted winner in recent memory.
Mason's late Heisman Trophy push has been nearly as incredible as the Tigers' turnaround season under first-year coach Gus Malzahn. No. 2 Auburn (12-1) has already tied the college football record for the biggest turnaround in the sport's history, and the Tigers' one-year flip could go down as one of the most amazing stories in sports history with a victory against No. 1 Florida State (13-0) in the BCS National Championship on Jan. 6.
Malzahn and Mason had a lot to do with that turnaround, which seemed impossible a year ago when the Tigers capped a 3-9 season with a 10th straight loss in the SEC under Gene Chizik.
Mason has rushed for 1,621 yards and 22 touchdowns, which is only one score short of the SEC record, and returned a kickoff for a touchdown in the opener against Washington State. He's rushed for 100 yards or more in eight of the last 10 games and has scored a touchdown in 10 straight games. He could also dethrone the incomparable Bo Jackson as the school's top rusher (1,786) with a big performance in Pasadena.
Jackson watched Mason's incredible performance at the SEC Championship Game from the Auburn sideline. He also gave Mason one of the ultimate blessings an Auburn player could receive.
'He was like, 'You're probably one of the best players to ever put on an Auburn helmet,'' Mason said. 'He just was thanking me for being here. I was thanking him for being a mentor to me.'
Fans drooled over Mason's high school film in 2011, sure, but the freshman was more popular on campus in the preseason because of his upbringing and blood line. His father, Vincent, is one part of the popular hip-hop group De La Soul.
His father already has a Grammy on the shelf at home.
Mason could bring home a Heisman.
'My dad has a lot more experience than me,' Mason said of dealing with the sudden fame. 'He's a legend.'
Mason's father is not much of a football fan. His primary concern is Mason's education and returning to Florida with a college degree.
'He started from nothing, so he makes us start from nothing,' Mason said. 'He doesn't give us anything, he makes us work for everything. That makes us hungry as kids.'
Mason arrived at Auburn a skinny speedster. He mostly served as the Tigers' speed sweep option in Malzahn's offense in 2011 and earned some freshman awards. He bulked up 'about 30 pounds' to become the Tigers' lead running back between the tackles and on outside runs. He hits creases harder than any other running back on Auburn's roster, and his power has led to plenty of yards after contact.
Mason is also living up to the expectations he first set at Park Vista Community High School in Lake Worth, Fla.
'The first day I saw him, some of my players walked over to me and said, 'Hey coach, Superman is around the corner,'' said Brian Dodds, Park Vista's high school coach. 'I go around the corner and I see him jumping over plyo boxes. We knew right away that he was something special and the first time he touched the ball, he ran it for a touchdown.'
The largest television audience to watch a college football game this season (14.4 million) watched Mason carry the ball a record 46 times against a confused and bewildered Missouri defense. The performance, which included two Heisman poses by the star, was enough to push him into consideration for the Heisman Trophy.
'Tre had that look on his face,' Malzahn said. 'In between series, I'd go ask him: 'You OK?' He said: 'Coach, keep giving it to me. We're going to win the SEC championship.' He had that look in his eyes. We weren't going to take him out unless he took himself out.'
Mason wasn't on the Heisman radar -- he was a second-team selection on the All-SEC list by coaches and media -- in the preseason. In fact, Malzahn was not yet ready to name him the No. 1 tailback in August or early September. Auburn's coaches publicly laid out plans to go with a by-committee approach until the hard-running junior proved to be well ahead of the three-headed attack during a 35-21 loss at LSU during the fourth week of the season.
Mason felt 'just a little bit' underappreciated at the beginning of the season. He should feel quite a bit different Saturday night in New York City.
'I guess so,' Mason said. 'I'm still waiting to win this national championship.'
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