Rookie cornerback Hezekiah Masses has been one of the Raiders’ biggest surprises in the first two weeks of the season, and when Darien Porter comes back from a foot injury he suffered in week 1, there’s a good chance his starting job isn’t going to waiting for him.
Masses made a name for himself at OTAs and training camp, but it’s rare to see a rookie cornerback make an impact like he made on Sunday against the Chargers. Through two games, the former University of California defensive back is one of just four players in the league with two interceptions.
Coming out of college, everyone knew Masses had the capabilities to be a ball hawk at the NFL level, but his toughness and ability to make tackles was questioned leading up to the draft.
At 6’1, 185 pounds, Masses doesn’t have tremendous size, but a tackle he made on Omarion Hampton in the first quarter on Sunday was one of the best tackles from a Raider defender all season.
Maxx Crosby knew the Raiders had a star in Masses…
In early August, Crosby was asked to name a rookie other than Fernando Mendoza that Raider fans could look forward to watching this season.
After some thought, Crosby said his player was Masses.
“There’s a lot of guys, but I would say Zeke Masses out of Cal. He was an All-American last year, ended up slipping until I think six or seventh round,” Crosby said on the Ball in the Family Podcast.
“At OTAs dude looks different. He looks different, he’s making plays everywhere, interceptions, confidence. He’s a Florida guy. Florida guys are wired a little bit different. If you know, you know. He carries himself a little bit different than most rookies you see. So I think he’s got an opportunity to play a lot.”
Masses already showing confidence…
After intercepting Justin Herbert twice in his second NFL game, Masses wasn’t surprised by his efforts.
“Herbert tried me twice and I was trying to make a play on the ball,” Masses said after the game. “It’s mine. It ain’t no 50-50 ball. I’m comfortable out there.”
Masses impressed at training camp right away…
For what it’s worth, Crosby wasn’t the first to go on record about Masses.
On July 29, Raider Nation Radio host ‘JT the Brick’ raved about Masses after watching his first reps at training camp.
“My takeaway from today was the secondary. When they got into drill and they were going after each other, offense versus defense, I kept an eye on who was out there. [Eric] Stokes was out there. And then I look over and I see Hezekiah Masses running with the ones… and he was good,” JT said on his Raider Nation Radio show.
“That guy looks store bought and ready to go. That guy looks like you went to a cornerback store and picked him out from behind the glass and said, ‘Go out and play.’ I’m excited to see him play more.”
x: @raidersbeat
Great scouting job by the GM and his team.