Nick Mangold

C · Ohio State
Regarded by many to be the premier center in the collegiate ranks, Mangold combines a great blend of power, speed and intelligence. The unquestioned leader of the Buckeyes' offense, offensive line coach Jim Bollman rates him on a par with former Buckeye All-American and 2001 Rimington Award winner LeCharles Bentley. Like Bentley, Mangold can also play guard and has been the team's iron man, logging over 300 minutes of action in each of his last three seasons. Nick was a three-year starter on both offense and defense at Alter High School, hailing from the same hometown as All-America linebacker and teammate, A.J. Hawk. He was a first-team All-Ohio pick as a senior and considered one of the elite center prospects in the country. He also earned three letters in wrestling and two in track and field, competing in the shot put. Mangold appeared in eight games as a true freshman, playing behind Alex Stepanovich at center. When Stepanovich suffered a knee injury vs. San Diego State in 2003, Mangold stepped into the starting lineup and never relinquished the job. When Stepanovich returned, he shifted to guard while Mangold continued to man the center position. He earned second-team All-Big Ten Conference honors in 2004, when the coaching staff named Mangold Offensive Lineman of the Week seven times and Offensive Player of the Week vs. Northwestern. Mangold was again chosen second-team All-Big Ten in 2005, but there was little argument from pro scouts that he was by far the best performer in the collegiate ranks at his position. He closed his career with 33 starts in 45 games.