5Qs: Christian Mahogany is ‘one of the most competitive players I’ve covered’

We chatted with Trevor Hass of the Boston Globe, who called Lions 6th-round pick Christian Mahogany ‘one of the most competitive players I’ve covered.’

In an effort to better know the Detroit Lions’ 2024 NFL Draft class, we will be spending the next couple weeks talking to writers and analysts who have covered them for the past few years at the college level.

We kick off the series with the Lions’ final pick: Boston College guard Christian Mahogany, who was taken by Detroit in the sixth round. Many expected Mahogany to be selected on Day 2 of the draft, so we wanted to get to the bottom of why he fell as far as he did, and what the Lions may have in their very own “dirtbag.”

We chatted with Trevor Hass, the Boston College beat writer for the Boston Globe.

Here’s our conversation:

1. Let’s get this one out of the way: I know you talked to Christian after the draft, do you get any sense on why he fell to the sixth round? Just injury concerns?

“I was surprised he dropped to the sixth round. There was a point a couple years ago where he was a potential first or second-round pick, but he elected to return to school and tore his ACL in the spring of 2022. He had a great bounce-back season this past year, but it’s very possible teams were still concerned about that ACL tear. Even so, not many people expected him to fall as far as he did. Something tells me he’ll use it as motivation. Just a hunch.”

2. How surprised were you that he returned to BC after his ACL tear cost him his 2022 season, and what did he prove in 2023?

“I figured it was more likely than not he would return, but it wasn’t a guarantee. The Eagles finished 3-9 without him in 2022, and injuries and inconsistency on the offensive line were a major reason why. Mahogany felt a sense of unfinished business at BC. Collectively, the unit bounced back in a major way and emerged as one of the best in the ACC this season. Individually, Mahogany proved he was still himself and fully capable of mauling the opposition like he did before the injury.”

3. As a two-time captain, what was Mahogany’s leadership style?

“Mahogany is a no-nonsense type of leader. He’s tough, fearless, and gritty, but he mostly goes about his own business. He leads by example and raises the standard through his work ethic. His teammates see him giving everything he has and have no choice but to follow suit. He’s not a rah-rah guy, but he’ll tell you what you need to hear.”

4. What would you call Mahogany’s “superpower” and what could he stand to improve upon at the NFL level?

“His superpower is his tenacity. He’s a true menace out there and doesn’t take no for an answer. Off the field, he’s mellow and intellectual. On the field, he plays a thousand miles an hour and doesn’t take any plays off. Every NFL player is fiercely competitive, but Mahogany is one of the most competitive players I’ve covered at any level. Nothing comes to mind as far as a specific area to improve, so I’ll go with staying healthy and proving he can match the physicality of massive defensive linemen in the NFL.”

5. Do you have a story or specific interaction with Mahogany that gives a good insight into who he is as a person on/off the field?

“Mahogany plays with his late father George Mahogany, late grandmother Barbara Cerniglia and late friend Devin Willock in mind. Mahogany was at his grandmother’s side in her final moments. Every year, he plays her “happy birthday” voicemail as a way to keep her close. He has her name tattooed on his left wrist, and he proudly sported a necklace with her thumbprint that reads “Forever in our Hearts” at ACC Football Kickoff. He’s a thoughtful and pensive guy off the field who transforms into a monster on it. But, he also likes to have some fun… His keg stand touchdown celebration in the spring game was legendary. Lions fans will like Mahogany. He’s someone you want on your team.”