Auburn RB Tre Mason Should Leave for NFL Draft After BCS Title Game

Dec 7, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Tre Mason (21) celebrates with wide receiver Melvin Ray (82) after a touchdown against the Missouri Tigers during the fourth quarter of the 2013 SEC Championship game at Georgia Dome. Auburn won 59-42. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Is there a team in college football hotter than Auburn right now?

In a battle of Tiger vs. Tiger, the Tigers won. The Auburn Tigers.

Playing against Missouri, the two Cinderella stories of the SEC collided at the Georgia Dome on Saturday where Auburn RB Tre Mason proved that he is not only one of the best running backs in the country this year, he is having one of the best seasons for a running back in the history of the Auburn football program.

After something of a slow start with no games of 100 yards rushing or more in the first three weeks of the season, Mason has closed things out well, running for over 100 yards in five straight games and in eight games so far this season (with one to go).

He has more all-purpose yards this year than any back in Auburn history, including Bo Jackson’s great season in 1985. Against Mizzou, Mason rushed for 304 yards and four touchdowns, just obliterating a defensive front that actually has a couple of guys who will be high picks in the up-coming NFL Draft.

Auburn’s men up front were simply too much to handle, and now Mason has a huge decision to make after the BCS National Championship against Florida State. Will he return to Auburn for another year or will he bolt to the NFL and strike while the iron is hot?

I think Mason has a chance to be a second round pick. That’s simply the highest value for a running back unless you are of Adrian Peterson caliber anymore, especially after teams have struck out so poorly on players in recent years.

Last night, NFL.com’s Gil Brandt said that Mason had “Tony Dorsett-like quickness” which is not a comment that should be taken lightly. Because of that quickness, Brandt said he believes Mason is the best back he has seen in all of college football this season, and I’m sure many NFL scouts believe the same.

For that fact alone, I think Mason should leave after this season and contend to be the first running back selected in the 2014 NFL Draft, potentially after a National Championship win as well.