Michigan football is flying high after the acquisition of three new defensive backs in the transfer portal this month, including former Michigan State safety Jaden Mangham.
Mangham is a long and versatile 6-foot-2, 185 pound defender from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan who totaled 29 solo tackles, four interceptions and three passes defensed last season for the Spartans.
On Monday, Mangham’s brother Jalen released a provocative message on social media sharing his feelings on the situation, along with additional background information on why his brother may have chosen the arch-rival Wolverines.
Jaden Mangham became the third recent Wolverines transfer announcement along with Aamir Hall from Albany and Wesley Walker from Louisville.
Mangham, Hall and Walker will combine to give the Wolverines incredible depth in the defensive backfield for position coach LaMar Morgan, filling the void left by an injury to Rod Moore and Keon Sabb’s transfer to Alabama.
Mangham started as a true freshman at safety for the Spartans before getting knocked out of the game in an attempt to tackle Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson. He later starred in his sophomore season in East Lansing.
How new DBs fit on Michigan’s defense
The Michigan defense is expected to be one of the nation’s best, led by defensive line returnees Kenneth Grant, Derrick Moore and Mason Graham.
The three Wolverine transfers have a chance to secure starting positions in the backfield.
Projected All-American Will Johnson, a junior, will start at one cornerback spot, with sophomore Jyaire Hill the expected starter at the boundary cornerback position.
Hall had five passes defensed and 13 pass break-ups last season. He will likely back up Hill, although he has the talent and experience to overtake him.
Mangham is the most likely starter at free safety. Walker, a graduate student, could also start at the position as could sophomore Zeke Berry.
Regardless of how things shake out, Michigan could have the best secondary in the country yet again next season, a testament to a coaching staff led by Sherrone Moore that has done all the right things since taking over in Ann Arbor.
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