WATCH: Jaren Mangham sees football career come full circle at Michigan State
East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State running back Jaren Mangham began his college football career at Colorado, before transferring to USF. Now, he is back in his home state to finish out his college football career with the Spartans and to play on the same team as his younger brother Jaden Mangham.
“Exciting, not every brother gets to play together,” said Jaren Mangham on Wednesday as one of handful of mid-year enrollees to meet with Michigan State media. “It is very special to me, especially to be able to wear the same number and sharing that. That is kind of a special moment for my parents, seeing their boys on the same team and having that green and white on.”
Mangham comes into a program with a competitive running backs room, which returning starter Jalen Berger, who averaged 4.6 yards per carry, while rushing for 761 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore. Transfer Nathan Carter (5-10, 190), who averaged 5.2 yards per carry as an eight-game starter over two years at UConn is also expected to compete for rotation work. Michigan State’s other returning tailbacks include sophomore Davion Primm, and senior Jordon Simmons. The Spartans also signed speedy California tailback Jaelon Barbarin (5-8, 190) in the Class of 2023.
“I looked at this room as a challenge, and I always love having a great room,” Mangham said. “I have never feared competition. I feel like competition builds character and I also feel like it helps everyone in the room get better.”
At 6-foot-2, 230, Mangham is the biggest tailback in the running backs room at Michigan State. As a freshman at Colorado in 2019, Mangham was named to the All-Pac 12 Freshman team. He totaled close to 500 yards of total offense in his lone season playing for Mel Tucker at Colorado.
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Mangham led Southern Florida in rushing (671) and rushing touchdowns (15) as an eight-game starter in 2021. His 15 touchdowns as a junior ranked in the Top 15 among FBS tailbacks.
In-depth mid-year enrollee coverage
SpartanMag.com publisher Jim Comparoni goes in-depth on Jaren Mangham’s journey to Michigan State, including the unique opportunity that both Jaren and Jaden Mangham have to wear the No. 1 Jersey at Michigan State.
‘It’s a unique moment’: RB transfer Jaren Mangham finds himself at Michigan State – finally
SpartanMag.com associate editor Paul Konyndyk goes in-depth on freshman linebacker Jordan Hall’s transition as a mid-year enrollee. Hall, a high school All-American and three-year starter at IMG Academy, is soaking up knowledge from program veterans, and working to prepare himself to make the most of whatever opportunity he earns.
Michigan State LB Jordan Hall making smooth transition as mid-year enrollee
