'Explosive speed' helps Hoban grad Mason Tipton make New Orleans Saints roster as free agent

Akron native Mason Tipton caught the attention of some NFL coaches and executives with his play and speed as a wide receiver at Yale University from 2019-2023.

The Yale graduate opened up even more eyes when ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash on his pro day in April.

Tipton's name was not called during the 2024 NFL Draft, but the New Orleans Saints came calling and offered Tipton an undrafted rookie free agent contract in April.

Tipton, a 2019 Archbishop Hoban graduate, made the most of the opportunity during organized team activities and training camp and is on the Saints' 53-man roster heading into a Week 1 game against the Carolina Panthers at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Caesars Superdome.

Tipton , who is 5-foot-11 and 187 pounds, made New Orleans' roster despite being sidelined for all three preseason games with a hamstring injury.

"Blessed," Tipton said to reporters on August 28 after finding out he made the team. "Obviously, missing three preseason games, it was tough on me just because I wanted to be out there and get back out there and play, especially for my teammates.

"But God is good, so I'm just blessed. I'm happy to be back, happy to be healthy and now it's really time to go."

Hoban football coach Tim Tyrrell 'really proud' of New Orleans Saints rookie Mason Tipton

Tipton was a three-time All-Ivy League selection and three-time Ivy League champion. He finished his Yale career third in school history in career touchdown receptions (19), fifth in career receptions (132) and sixth in career receiving yards (2,067) in 36 games. He totaled 52 receptions for 786 yards and scored 11 touchdowns (10 receiving and one rushing) in 10 games last year.

Tipton told reporters on Aug. 28 that he brings "speed and explosiveness" to the field at wide receiver.

"The last time I spoke [to media members in training camp in July], I think the biggest thing is that I'm not just a speed guy," Tipton said. "I can run every route in the book, so I add that aspect of explosiveness, downfield speed but also I can run every route.

"... I understood the circumstances [coming into training camp as an undrafted rookie], but I'm a confident person and I feel like I bring something to the team that is of value. I was just committed to showing the staff, showing my teammates that I could help them win. That was my first and foremost goal, is proving it to everybody else."

Tipton helped Hoban defeat Massillon 42-28 in the 2018 Division II state championship game to cap a 15-0 season and give the Knights their fourth consecutive state title. Tipton had 48 receptions for 1,186 yards and six touchdowns as a senior.

Tipton caught two touchdown passes from Shane Hamm in the 2018 Division II state championship game that Hoban won 42-14 over Cincinnati Winton Woods.

"This is an awesome opportunity for Mason and his family," Hoban coach Tim Tyrrell said Friday. "He has put in the work. The kid has been working everyday since he left here. He took a different road. He passed up on some scholarships and went to Yale and got a great degree. He has put in the grind to get where he is at and we are all really proud of him."

Tipton earned three varsity letters apiece in football and baseball at Hoban.

Hoban graduate Mason Tipton impresses New Orleans Saints coach Dennis Allen with 'explosive speed'

"I think he's got the skill set," Saints coach Dennis Allen said to reporters about Tipton after a training camp practice in Irvine, California, in July. "He's a smaller player, but he's got some real good quickness and he's a savvy route runner. He's got some football awareness, and so I think he understands kind of how to play the position.

"He's got really explosive speed down the field. I think as we go throughout training camp, we'll have to see what are all those things that he can do. I think he's proven that he can run deep, and now we'll have to see how does he execute on some of the underneath stuff and can we get the ball in his hands quickly, can he get some run after catch, those types of things."

Allen added that Tipton reminds him of defensive back Chris Harris, an undrafted rookie in 2011 with Denver, when Allen was the defensive coordinator for the Broncos.

"Nobody knew who Chris Harris was. He was undrafted free agent out of Kansas, but every day he showed up out there, he worked his tail off, competed at the highest level and every day he did something to catch your eye," Allen said to reporters about Tipton after a training camp practice in Irvine, California, in July.

"Next thing you know, you are two or three weeks into training camp and he's done something to deserve an opportunity to get more opportunities. I like some of the things I'm seeing out of [Tipton]."

Tipton told reporters in July his main goal was to "get the basics down."

"Learn the playbook," Tipton said. "I think the most important thing to me is getting my teammates' respect. And that happens by working the hardest, helping out in any way I can, doing whatever I can to help the team win.

"... I work hard — I tell myself I work the hardest. Any moments out here are something that I have already believed that I could do. When I'm prepared, I trust myself and I come out here and make the plays I know I can make. I think it's important to know that I can run the whole route tree. Obviously, I'm fast. I've always been a deep threat receiver, but I can run every single route in the game, and I think that's what makes me dynamic in the pass game."

Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com and is on Twitter at @MBeavenABJ .

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 'Explosive speed' helps Hoban grad Mason Tipton make New Orleans Saints roster as free agent