Report: Michigan State Safety Jaden Mangham Expected To Visit Ohio State

Michigan State transfer safety Jaden Mangham (6-2 185) is expected to visit Ohio State this weekend per a report from 247Sports.com’s Matt Zenitz.

Mangham started 10 games for the Spartans last year as a true sophomore, finishing sixth on the team with 53 tackles. He led the team with four interceptions, which was good for sixth-best in the Big Ten.

Mangham also started two games as a true freshman in 2022, including the 49-20 loss to Ohio State.

Ohio State won’t be the only destination for Jaden Mangham, who entered the transfer portal on April 30. After the visit to Columbus, Mangham will reportedly head to Nebraska early in the week and then Michigan next weekend.

The Buckeyes have been in the market for a safety following the recent transfers of senior Ja’Had Carter and redshirt freshman Cedrick Hawkins. The pitch is a tricky one for Ohio State, however, because the two starting jobs are locked up thanks to senior Lathan Ransom and sophomore Caleb Downs.

The message from every Ohio State coach this spring, however, has been that depth is a must this year because of what is expected to be a 16 or 17-game schedule.

Injuries have hit the Ohio State secondary the last few years, so it’s reasonable for the Buckeye coaches to prepare for the unexpected. There are easier paths to the field in other programs, however.

In terms of fit, Mangham can play strong safety or free safety. He has experience playing in the boundary and to the field, so he has the same kind of versatility that the Buckeyes liked about Ja’Had Carter when they grabbed him out of the portal last year.

While a starting job isn’t open at the moment, that would change in 2025 following the departure of starter Lathan Ransom. It won’t be an easy win, however, as every starting position in the secondary is going to be hotly contested next year.

[Jaden Mangham photo courtesy of the Michigan State Dept. of Athletics.]