Card: Panini Certified 2014 (128/699)
Acquired: 2020, Panini Points Redemption

Tre Mason joins a long list of 1,000 yard War Eagles, to make the transition to the NFL. In 2012 and 2013 he ran for over a 1,000 yards, including his junior season when he posted 1,816 yards on 317 carries along with 23 TDs. Tre declared for the NFL draft after his out of sight 2013 campaign.

After a pretty solid rookie campaign, in which Tre rushed for 765 yards and 4 TDs- including an 89 yard long, it looked like the St. Louis Rams got great value finding him available during the 3rd round. Tre subsequently was named to multiple All-Rookie teams. He had a Sophomore slump in 2015, rushing for just 207 yards, and then had an erratic off-season where he just- disappeared. In 2016, Tre was added to the reserve-not reported list, and not play the entire season. After being cut in 2017, he’d make a comeback in the CFL with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2018- and he’d do so in a big way. Making the best of his playing time, Tre rushed for 809 yards and 3 TDs, but he’d blow out his ACL in the process. He’d be cut in mid 2019 and is currently a free agent.

When I comb through the Panini Redemption site, I always look for value first. Tre Mason didn’t have a long career in the NFL, but this card had a lot going for it. It’s a beautiful card. It’s a triple patch. It’s autographed. That was enough for me to move on this one, as this Freshman Fabric was a welcome addition to my collection.