Note: The following appears in the Georgia Tech football digital gameday guide, available HERE.
For Armon Mason, resilience has defined every step of his Clemson journey. Arriving in Tigertown as a walk-on in 2021, the Georgia native worked his way up to become a contributing defensive end for the Tigers.
Throughout his college career, Mason faced severe injuries that led to his medical retirement in the midst of his senior season. However, he is not letting the end of his playing career overshadow the relationships and growth that shaped his time at Clemson University.
Now as he medically retires, he is looking to his future with his faith and family as anchors for his new season of life.
Mason was around seven years old when he was introduced to Clemson football. Watching his cousin, Grady Jarrett, play defensive line for the Tigers gave him an early glimpse into the atmosphere and excitement a Tiger game entails.
Years later, as he considered which college program to call home, Clemson’s strong academics and the football team’s P.A.W. Journey program made it an easy choice.
During his Clemson career, Mason recorded nine tackles across 17 games, with the 2024 CFP game at Texas standing out as his favorite game.
But some of Mason’s most meaningful Clemson memories extend beyond the gridiron. He remembered opening his Clemson locker for the first time and seeing his white jersey displaying the #34 alongside his last name. In that moment, he recognized the number's significance, his father, the late Anthony Mason, wore the same number in college before going on to play in the NBA. Mason’s father passed away when he was 11 years old.
“I wear my last name very proudly,” said Mason. “I may not have had as much time with him as I wanted, but I know he’s rooting for me, I know he’s checking on me and I thank and love him and my mother (Dr. Ramona Lancaster-Epps) for their contribution to helping me become who I am.”
Before committing to Clemson, Mason heard about the program's family atmosphere in recruiting videos, and after arriving as a freshman, he quickly discovered that the sense of brotherhood was more than a recruitment message…it was a genuine part of the Clemson football experience.
“My group of defensive ends are like my brothers. You meet a lot of people here that are really intentional and really pour into you and invest in you, not just as a football player, but as a person, as a man, as a young man growing up, and that's really cool to see.”
Throughout his years playing for Clemson, Mason faced a recurring left-leg injury, which required surgery to place a surgical rod, leaving him in significant pain in recent months.
“My injury caused a certain detachment from my sport and constant feeling of being down because I was in pain. That was a very tough time for me, and that became evident to my family members.”
One moment that remains particularly vivid for Mason is his phone call with his mother in December after learning surgery, which enabled him to prepare for the 2026 season, was the only remaining solution for his pain.
“I sat in the car on FaceTime with my mom and cried at the news. We didn’t even really talk. She just sat there with me and told me that she loved me.”
The defensive end’s leg injury forced him to face a life-and-career-altering question.
“I had to sit down and ask myself how much football meant over my physical and mental well-being.”
After several conversations with his mother, sister and stepfather, Mason realized his decision to prioritize his health was the right path despite the heartbreak of having to walk away from the game.
“I’ve grown in my resolve, not only there, but in my trust in my faith. I wanted to play ball and be with my team, and whatever it took to do that I was willing to do. It’s really tough to go through.
“I have always had a good grasp on life after football, starting with my family and of course with the whole P.A.W. Journey staff. But it’s tough when something that you’ve put years of your life into is taken away by something you can’t control.”
Mason earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2025 and is currently working toward an MBA. Initially inspired by his mother, a doctor, Mason entered college with a focus in health science. However, after taking many health-focused courses, he found himself especially drawn to psychology.
Through P.A.W. Journey and his two degrees, Mason has developed what he describes as “a certain flexibility that I really enjoy” when considering his future career. Although P.A.W. Journey exposed him to many different career paths, Mason would like to stay in the sports industry after graduation.
One of Mason’s favorite aspects of his time at Clemson was the relationships he built throughout the seasons.
“I want to thank Coach (Chris) Rumph for how much he made our defensive end room like a real family. The people in that room, especially in the 2025 season, really helped keep me positive day to day.
“Those people carry you past the physical place or just being on the team. You hear a lot of teams talk about brotherhood and stuff like that, but I really feel a brotherhood here.”
One of the most significant lessons he takes away from his time at Clemson is the importance of trusting the process.
“I try to trust that you know things may happen out of your control, and you may not get where you thought you were going to, but just trust in the process. If you're religious, trust in your faith because I truly do believe that maybe getting to the NFL wasn't for me, but there's a lot of life and a lot of opportunities that have been presented to me that are going to impact my life and future in a very big way.”
Despite the recent health challenges he has faced, Mason is looking ahead to life after football with excitement.
“Being here, I’ve been equipped the right way for life after football because there always is life after ball, whether that’s after high school or after college or after a few years in the NFL. As much as it hurts, I’m excited to not be in pain day-to-day and to see what God has planned for me for the rest of my life.”