Jim Harbaugh’s favorite former Michigan player is signed by the Chargers.
Before his first season back in the NFL, Jim Harbaugh has reunited with one of his favorite players from Michigan.
The Los Angeles Chargers signed tight end/fullback Ben Mason on Tuesday. Mason played a variety of positions at Michigan from 2017 to 2020, including fullback, tight end, and along the defensive line. Offensively, he was mostly used as a blocker and a ball carrier in short-yardage situations. He scored 10 touchdowns over his career.
The Baltimore Ravens — coached by Harbaugh’s brother, John — drafted Mason in the fifth round in 2021. Mason spent parts of the last three seasons in Baltimore, mostly on the practice squad. He made his NFL debut in the final regular-season game of last season, mostly on special teams.
Harbaugh, who is in his first year back as an NFL coach after a nine-year run at Michigan, regularly praised Mason as someone who truly loved football. Before Mason had even played in a game, Harbaugh said Mason was his “new favorite player.” Mason was the kind of person “any dad would have been proud to have fathered,” Harbaugh once said. He earned the nickname “Bench Mason” for his work in the weight room.
