FSM Feature: Remember the Name: Hezekiah Masses | Las Vegas Raiders - 2026

The Raiders rookie introduced himself to the AFC West with two interceptions against the Chargers.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. Some rookies spend their first NFL games trying to find their footing. Raiders cornerback Hezekiah Masses looked like he had already found his.

The fifth-round pick out of Cal delivered a breakout performance Sunday in Las Vegas‘ 26-14 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, intercepting Justin Herbert twice and making his presence known throughout the afternoon. For a young cornerback facing one of the league’s established quarterbacks, Masses played with the kind of confidence that immediately catches your attention.

His first interception came when a pass intended for Chargers tight end David Njoku bounced loose, and Masses, as he showed in Training Camp, was in the right place at the right time to make the play. His second came in the fourth quarter, when he read Herbert and stepped in front of a pass intended for Derius Davis.

That second pick was especially important. With Los Angeles still within striking distance, Masses helped slam the door shut on any hopes of a Chargers late comeback.

But the interceptions weren’t his only impact. Masses also came downhill to make a tackle for loss early in the game, showing the instincts and aggressiveness that made him such a dawg coming out of Cal.

The Raiders selected Masses 175th overall in April, and his college resume showed he had a nose for that football. He finished his senior season with five interceptions and 13 passes broken up. Sunday was his first real opportunity to show that production could translate to the NFL field, and he didn’t disappoint.

The Raiders forced three turnovers on the afternoon, and Masses was the catalyst for two of them. More importantly, he looked comfortable playing fast, something that isn’t always easy for a sophomore corner, let alone a rookie corner.

Remember the Name: Hezekiah Masses

There will definitely be tougher challenges ahead. That’s the nature of playing corner in the NFL. But for one afternoon at SoFi Stadium, Masses wasn’t playing like a fifth-round rookie trying to establish himself.

That guy looked like a player who belonged in Silver and Black!

If Sunday’s performance is any sign, the Raiders may have found themselves a diamond in the rough at exactly the right time to bolster a unit that has been the Achilles’ heel of this defense since the days of Charles Woodson and Nnamdi Asomugha.

Masses started in place of Darien Porter, who was out with a foot injury, and became the first Raiders rookie with two interceptions in a game since Henry Williams nearly five decades ago. He was given a game ball afterward.

“I couldn’t even sleep last night, man,” Masses said. “I was like, ‘I can’t let my team down.’ I knew they were going to try to come at me being a rookie and I just had to make plays on the ball. I just want to get the ball. Wherever the ball’s at, that’s where I’m trying to be and just make plays.”

“Incredible start for him,” head coach Klint Kubiak said. “Really proud of him, really proud of how his teammates supported him because the ball doesn’t get into his hands without great pass rush and great coverage. But really proud of Zeek.”

HEZEKIAH MASSES BY THE NUMBERS

Next up: Zeek should get his next opportunity to ball out as the Las Vegas Raiders travel to New Orleans to face the Saints, Sunday, September 27, 2026, 1:25 p.m. PT, Caesars Superdome, CBS

Franchise Sports Media. Las Vegas sports news about Las Vegas Sports teams.

– Jordan Vega – Franchise Sports Media

Follow Jordan on Instagram: @jordantvegas

-> CLICK TO FOLLOW THE FRANCHISE ACROSS SOCIAL MEDIA