Mason Rudolph: From Oklahoma State Star to Steelers Quarterback

Mason Rudolph's journey in football has been marked by impressive college statistics and a professional career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, evolving from a backup to a crucial starter.

Early Life and High School Career

Born on July 17, 1995, in Rock Hill, South Carolina, Brett Mason Rudolph III demonstrated exceptional talent early in his football career. He attended Westminster Catawba Christian School before transferring to Northwestern High School. There, he became a standout quarterback, accumulating remarkable statistics, passing for 10,986 yards and 132 touchdowns throughout his high school career. In his senior year, Rudolph led the Trojans to a 15-0 record, a 4A State Championship, and a #7 national ranking, accounting for 80 total touchdowns and throwing for 4,400 yards. His outstanding performance earned him the offensive MVP title in the Annual Shrine Bowl All-Star game, where he led South Carolina to a game-winning drive in the final 20 seconds. Rudolph was also a finalist for South Carolina's "Mr. Football" award. After his dominant high school career, Rudolph was ranked as a four-star recruit according to Rivals.com.

College Career at Oklahoma State

Rudolph committed to Oklahoma State University, where he played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. He started three years, his sophomore through senior seasons, for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Rudolph entered his true freshman season in 2014 as a third string behind J. W. Walsh and Daxx Garman. After Walsh was injured, Garman became the starter with Rudolph as his backup. Rudolph's college career was marked by consistent improvement and impressive statistics. He finished his college career starting 41 games, throwing for 13,618 yards, 92 touchdowns, and 26 interceptions.

Sophomore Season

In his sophomore season, Rudolph started 13 games, throwing for 3,770 yards, 21 touchdowns, and nine interceptions all while managing to keep a 62.3% completion percentage and a 8.9 yards per attempt average. Oklahoma State played Missouri in their bowl game that year where Rudolph struggled. He went 18-for-31 for 179 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

Junior Season

Rudolph made a step in the right direction in his second year as a starter. Again he started 13 games, throwing for 4,091 yards, 28 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He upped his completion percentage from 62.3% to 63.4% and yards per attempt from 8.9 to 9.1. His junior season, Oklahoma State played Colorado in their bowl game and Rudolph had his best bowl performance of his career. Rudolph managed to go 22-for-32 for 314 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Read also: George Mason University Baseball

Senior Season

Rudolph’s final season at Oklahoma State was his most impressive when he took a huge leap from his years prior. Another 13 games as a starter under his belt, he threw for 4,904 yards, 37 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. His completion percentage went up again from 63.4% to 65% while his yards per attempt jumped from 9.1 to 10, which can be a contributing factor to his increase in interceptions. In his final bowl game against Virginia Tech, Rudolph went 21-for-32 for 351 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions, capping off his collegiate career with a win.

Accolades

Rudolph's senior year culminated in winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

NFL Draft and Early Career with the Steelers

Leading up to the 2018 NFL Draft, Rudolph attended the NFL Scouting Combine and completed most combine drills, but opted to skip the bench press, broad jump, short shuttle, and three-cone drill. On March 15, 2018, he participated at Oklahoma State's pro day and completed the three-cone drill, short shuttle, broad jump, and ran passing drills. Rudolph met with scouts and team representatives from the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and Los Angeles Chargers privately after completing his pro day. Rudolph attended private workout and visits with the New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints, Cincinnati Bengals, Steelers, New York Giants, and Chargers. At the end of the pre-draft process, Rudolph was projected to be a second-round pick by the majority of NFL draft experts and scouts.

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Rudolph in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Pittsburgh moved up three spots in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks to select him, and he’s been with the Steelers ever since, playing in 18 career games. Throughout training camp, Rudolph competed against Landry Jones and Joshua Dobbs for the backup spot behind Ben Roethlisberger. From 2018 to 2022, Rudolph primarily served as a backup, making occasional starts.

2019 Season and the Myles Garrett Incident

During Week 11 against the Cleveland Browns, with eight seconds left in regulation, Rudolph was involved in a brawl with several players from both teams. Rudolph completed a pass to running back Trey Edmunds. Myles Garrett of the Browns then tackled Rudolph late, after the pass had been completed. While the two were entangled on the ground, Rudolph attempted to remove Garrett's helmet out of frustration. Garrett then grabbed at Rudolph's helmet and removed it. When Rudolph ran after Garrett, Garrett struck Rudolph in the head with Rudolph's own helmet. During and after this altercation, additional players came into the fray and further fighting occurred. Rudolph finished the 21-7 road loss with 221 passing yards, a touchdown, and four interceptions. Three players were ejected and later suspended for the incident, particularly Garrett, who was suspended for the remainder of the 2019 season.

During Week 12 against the still-winless Bengals, Rudolph struggled again, throwing for 85 yards and an interception before being benched for Hodges in the third quarter who led the Steelers to a 16-10 comeback victory. Two days later, head coach Mike Tomlin announced that Hodges would remain the starting quarterback for the following week's game against the Browns.

Subsequent Seasons and Role as Backup

During Week 16 against the New York Jets, Rudolph came into the game after struggles from Hodges in the second quarter, but left the eventual 16-10 loss in the fourth quarter after suffering a shoulder injury. On December 29, 2020, with the Steelers already locking up the AFC North with a 12-3 record, head coach Mike Tomlin announced that Rudolph would start the regular season finale on the road against the Browns in order to rest Roethlisberger in preparation for the playoffs. In that game, Rudolph completed 22-of-39 passes for 315 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. With the Steelers down 24-22, Rudolph attempted to tie the score by throwing a two-point conversion to rookie wide receiver Chase Claypool.

Following the 2021 season, the Steelers staff showed confidence in Rudolph. On September 5, 2022, the official Steelers depth chart was released showing Rudolph being listed at second-string quarterback behind Mitchell Trubisky and ahead of rookie Kenny Pickett. During a Week 15 30-13 road loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Rudolph relieved Trubisky in the fourth quarter, completing two of three passes for three yards during the.

2023 Season: Return to the Starting Lineup

Rudolph re-signed with the Steelers in 2023 and spent most of the season as the third-string quarterback before being named the starter late in the season. Rudolph led the Steelers to three consecutive wins, setting a franchise record for completion percentage in the final regular-season game and started in the Steelers' Wild Card matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

In his 18 career games, Rudolph has passed for 2,369 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He’s also started 10 games, going 5-4-1. Rudolph’s start in Week 16 will be his first since 2021, when he started one game, resulting in a tie against the Detroit Lions 16-16. The Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 season has been one to remember and one to forget at the same time. Although they’ve struggled offensively, they’ve won games thanks to strong defense and good coaching. The Steelers will play their third QB of the season in Week 16 when Mason Rudolph starts.

Other Teams

Rudolph made his Titans debut in Week 4 against the Miami Dolphins. After a blowout 52-14 road loss to the Lions in Week 8, Rudolph had his statistical best game of the season against the New England Patriots. In the 20-17 overtime victory, he completed 20-of-33 passes for 240 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. This marked Rudolph's first game throwing for multiple touchdowns as a member of the Titans. However, Levis returned to the starting lineup in Week 10 after recovering from injury. Rudolph made his next appearance in the Week 15 matchup against the Bengals. After Levis threw his third interception of the game, Rudolph was sent in during the third quarter. During a Week 2 31-17 loss to the Seahawks, Rudolph saw the field for the first time with the Steelers since the 2023 season when he relieved Aaron Rodgers late in the game.

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