SIOUX FALLS — Mason McCormick saw limited action in his first three games in the NFL, but Sunday against the Colts he got his first real taste of the league.
The former Roosevelt High School and South Dakota State star was in the starting lineup at left guard for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who made McCormick a fourth-round draft pick in April.
Returning to the sight of the NFL Combine, where McCormick's exploits pushed him higher onto the draft boards of every team in the NFL, the rookie remained on the field for all 70 offensive snaps in the Steelers' loss to the Colts.
There were growing pains, including a botched snap late in the game in which confusion on the offensive line affected the play. The mistake appeared to be the fault of center Zach Frazier, but McCormick made a point to say "It was all our faults" to the media in the postgame locker room, a sign of the leadership and maturity he showed in his time in South Dakota.
Expect McCormick to continue to build on his debut.
Here's how the rest of the NFL's South Dakotans did in Week 4.
Jack Cochrane, LB, Kansas City, USD
Saw action for 20 plays on special teams in the Chiefs win over the Chargers.
Isaiah Davis, RB, New York Jets, SDSU
Played 18 special teams snaps in the Jets loss to Denver.
Dennis Gardeck, LB, Arizona, USF
Had five tackles in Cardinals loss to Washington.
Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia, SDSU/Britton-Hecla
Caught seven balls for 62 yards in Philly's loss to Tampa Bay.
CJ Ham, FB, Minnesota, Augustana
Played 17 downs on offense and 18 on special teams in the Vikings win at Green Bay.
Tucker Kraft, TE, Green Bay, SDSU/Timber Lake
Had six catches for 53 yards and a touchdown in the Packers' loss to the Vikings.
Mason McCormick, G, Pittsburgh, SDSU/SF Roosevelt
Made first NFL start at left guard and played all 70 snaps on offense in the Steelers' loss to the Colts.
Trey Pipkins, G, LA Chargers, USF
Started and played all 56 snaps in the Chargers' loss to Kansas City.
Tip Reiman, TE, Arizona, SF O'Gorman
Started and played 25 downs offensive downs and nine special teams plays in the loss to Washington but did not record any statistics.
Christian Rozeboom, LB, LA Rams, SDSU
Made 11 tackles in the Rams loss to the Bears.
Isaiah Stalbird, LB, New Orleans, SDSU
Did not play in Saints loss to Atlanta.
Pierre Strong, RB, Cleveland, SDSU
Was inactive for Browns vs Las Vegas.
On injured reserve
Myles Harden, CB, Cleveland, USD
On practice squads
Kameron Cline, DL, Buffalo, USD
Blake Larson, OL, LA Rams, Augsutana/Brandon Valley
Brock Mogensen, LB, Dallas, USD
The Trust Project
