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
I think the rating is solid given what we know right now.
ReplyDeleteMorgan seems to be saying pretty directly that the guys who have been in the program (Paige, QJohnson, and Berry) have a major advantage right now. Maybe that'll change over the course of the season but even if it does Mangham still also has to deal with Walker potentially ahead of him as well.
Mangham almost seems like a guy we took more for next year than this year (similar to Hausman and Hinton). I expect him to play a decent amount but not necessarily be a key cog until 2025.
Get a big hit against sparty, maybe a turnover ... that'd be the ideal contribution for the year
ReplyDeleteThat would follow in the tradition Jaden McBurrows and Andrel Anthony getting some highlight reel plays they probably watched on YouTube a few more times than they would have against a different opponent.
Delete