He originally committed to play quarterback for head coach Nick Saban at Michigan State out of high school in 1997.
His first significant action came during the 2001 SEC Championship Game, when he came off the bench to replace injured starting quarterback Rohan Davey.
Mauck would run for two touchdowns, leading the underdog Tigers to a come-from-behind 31–20 victory over the heavily favored #2 Tennessee Volunteers.
Source:[2] Mauck decided to go pro after the 2003 season, and he was selected in the 2004 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos with the 225th pick in the seventh round.
He became expendable after the Titans drafted Vince Young and signed free agent quarterback Kerry Collins.
However, he was signed back to the Titans' practice squad after week 2, after third-string quarterback Billy Volek was traded to the San Diego Chargers.