Name: Jaden Mangham
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 185 lbs.
High school: Birmingham (MI) Groves
Position: Safety
Class: Junior
Jersey number: #3
Last year: Mangham played for Michigan State. He started ten games and made 53 tackles, 4 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, and 7 pass breakups.
TTB Rating: N/A
A year ago, Mangham was the enemy. A starting safety for the Michigan State Spartans is to Michigan fans what the vocabulary in a young adult novel is to Ohio State fans. It didn’t really matter that Mangham started ten games and made 4 interceptions on the season. We just laughed as Michigan skunked MSU 49-0. Mangham made 5 tackles and 1 pass breakup in that contest.
But then the off-season came, and Michigan needed safeties. Keon Sabb transferred to Alabama, Rod Moore got hurt, and suddenly the depth chart was looking somewhat questionable. Mangham had been recruited by the Wolverines out of high school but the interest on both sides was somewhat tepid. Time – and playing for Mel Tucker – had changed that perspective, though.
I could be underrating Mangham here by ranking him at #42. I think he’ll end up as Michigan’s fourth safety behind Makari Paige, Quinten Johnson, and Wesley Walker; rumors out of practice have Johnson and Walker competing for the spot opposite Paige. But Mangham could force his way into the lineup. Even if he doesn’t break into the top three this fall, Mangham should be good enough for the coaching staff to feel confident he can be a starter in 2025 after Paige, Johnson, and Walker are gone.
Prediction: Backup safety
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