Jordan Mason explains what happened to the ‘Ponchez’

September 1, 2018 Atlanta - Georgia Tech running back Jordan Mason (24) celebrates with teammates after he scored a touchdown in the first half of the Georgia Tech home opener at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday, September 1, 2018. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

September 1, 2018 Atlanta - Georgia Tech running back Jordan Mason (24) celebrates with teammates after he scored a touchdown in the first half of the Georgia Tech home opener at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday, September 1, 2018. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Georgia Tech B-back Jordan Mason is the player to be named later.

Speaking with media Tuesday, the redshirt freshman took the time to explain why he is identified as “Jordan Mason” and not “Jordan Ponchez-Mason,” as he was last year.

“Oh, man, that’s a long story,” Mason said. “I actually need to say this.”

As long stories go, it’s not quite “War and Peace.” Maybe just “War.” It turns out that Ponchez is Mason’s middle name.

“Somehow, in the mix, somebody got Ponchez-Mason as my last name,” Mason said.

Indeed, he was “Jordan Ponchez-Mason” from national signing day in 2017 in team publications.

“It just completely changed when I got here,” Mason said. “I was like, ‘OK, wow.’”

It stayed that way at least through the spring game earlier this year. In the box score, 22 rushing yards were credited to “Ponchez-Mason.” The correction has since been made. He is back to “Jordan Mason” on the Tech website and media guide.

Mason is the second Tech player in recent years from Tennessee with the last name Mason, following Shaquille Mason, the former All-American guard. The two are not related.

The page dedicated to Jordan Ponchez on the Georgia Tech website on national signing day in 2017.

icon to expand image