If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em – apparently.
This is the case of a local product who chose to start his career at a rival State of Michigan. Hailing from Birmingham (Mich.) Groves, former four-star athlete Jaden Mangham was the No. 311 prospect in the 2022 recruiting class according to the 247Sports Composite, the No. 13 athlete and No. 8 player in the state of Michigan. Eventually, his older brother, Jaren, joined him in East Lansing, but both decided to transfer this offseason.
The younger Mangham drew the ire of Spartan fans when he chose to visit Michigan football as a potential transfer destination. The worst fears ended up coming true when Mangham chose to change sides in the rivalry, betting on maize and blue.
A safety at MSU, Mangham had 53 tackles, one for loss, four interceptions and three pass breakups in 11 games with the Spartans.
He is the second safety to join the Wolverines this offseason with former Tennessee defenseman (who transferred to Louisville but re-entered the portal) Wesley Walker promising to the maize and blue on Friday morning. Michigan also added Aamir Hall, an All-American cornerback at the FCS level, through the transfer portal this week.