Ohio State is reportedly expected to host former Michigan State safety Jaden Mangham for a visit this weekend, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. Mangham (6-2, 185), a Beverly Hills, Mich., native, is also setting up visits to Nebraska on Monday and Michigan next weekend.
Mangham spent two seasons with the Spartans, starting 12 games from 2022-23 and totaling 73 tackles, four interceptions, three pass breakups and one fumble recovery. He struggled to see the field as a freshman but earned significant playing time his sophomore year due to his versatility in the secondary, racking up a team-high four interceptions — a mark that also ranked sixth-best in the Big Ten — along with 53 tackles, three pass breakups, a fumble recovery and one tackle for loss.
His efforts last season allowed him to be named honorable mention All-Big Ten by both coaches and media.
Mangham, who played at Michigan State alongside his older brother, Jaren Mangham, who transferred to Minnesota earlier this offseason, entered college as a four-star prospect out of Franklin (Mich.) Wylie E. Groves. He was touted as the nation’s 311th-best prospect and 13th-best athlete, and committed to the Spartans over schools such as Alabama, Indiana, Miami and Michigan.
Mangham would provide a much-needed depth piece for Ohio State this season at safety, a positional group that saw both Ja’Had Carter and Cedric Hawkins depart from the program this offseason through the transfer portal. The Buckeyes are set at the top of the safety depth chart, with Caleb Downs, Lathan Ransom and Malik Hartford expected to assume the majority of starting reps, but the former Spartan could prove to be a crucial addition if the Buckeyes are hit by the injury bug towards the end of the season.
Mangham is not the only safety who is expected to visit Ohio State this weekend. According to 247Sports’ Bill Kurelic, the Buckeyes will also be hosting former Sacramento State safety Cameron Broussard (6-3, 200), who entered the portal on April 30 after four seasons with the Hornets. Broussard, a Folsom, Calif., native, is a two-time FCS All-American and was named first-team All-Big Sky last season after totaling 73 tackles, five pass breakups and two interceptions last season.
He is also expected to visit Nebraska and Michigan later this month.
Ohio State has already brought in six transfers this offseason, a group that includes the aforementioned Downs along with quarterbacks Will Howard and Julian Sayin, running back Quinshon Judkins, tight end Will Kacmerek and center Seth McLaughlin.
