Nick Mangold

Nick Mangold (born January 13, 1984) is an American football center for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Ohio State University, and was drafted in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He is a four-time Pro Bowl selection, and is widely regarded as one of the best centers in the NFL. According to the New York Times, the Jets are "the only team in the NFL that doesn't have to sacrifice a guard when facing an elite nose tackle," because of Mangold's "ability to lock and drive from a standstill position."

High school years
Mangold attended Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering, Ohio, where he was a letterman in football, wrestling, and track & field. In football, he was a three-year starter on both offense and defense and as a senior, he garnered All-Ohio honors. He also earned three letters in wrestling and two in track and field, competing in the shot put.

Mangold went completely unregarded by recruiting services like Rivals.com and Scout.com. Still, Mangold played in the 2002 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

College career
A three-year starter at center for the Ohio State Buckeyes, Mangold was rated on a par with former Buckeye All-American and 2001 Rimington Trophy winner LeCharles Bentley by offensive line coach Jim Bollman. “Most guys you get out of high school have to be taught to play center. He already knew the mechanics of the position. That was a big, big advantage,” said Bollman. Ohio State's most durable lineman, Mangold logged over 300 minutes of action in each of his last three seasons.

In his true freshman year, Mangold appeared in eight games as backup for Alex Stepanovich. In 2003, Stepanovich suffered a knee injury in the second game of the season vs. San Diego State. Mangold moved in and started the final 11 games of the season. 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. He closed his career with 33 starts in 45 games.

2006 NFL Draft
After a "tremendous performance" at the 2006 Senior Bowl, Mangold was widely regarded as the top center available in the 2006 NFL Draft, ahead of 2005 Outland and Rimington Trophy winner Greg Eslinger. The Baltimore Ravens considered selecting Mangold at No. 12, but instead went with defensive tackle Haloti Ngata.

Mangold was selected in the first round (29th overall) by the New York Jets, who had just prior used their No. 1 pick on offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson in an effort to rebuild their offensive line. It marked the first instance of a team drafting two offensive linemen in the first round following the 1975 NFL Draft, when the Los Angeles Rams took Dennis Harrah and Doug France. Mangold was the only center selected in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft, and the highest pick among Ohio State Buckeye centers since Gordon Appleby went 26th overall in 1945.

New York Jets
Replacing Kevin Mawae at center, Mangold had a good rookie season, allowing only 0.5 sacks, committed only 3 penalties and made all the line calls. Mangold was considered to be the best prospect at center in the last 15 years according to NFL draft expert Mike Mayock. Mangold was so impressive he garnered some Rookie of the year talks, an honor that is not usually mentioned about centers.

Mangold has been a Pro Bowl selection in 2008 and 2009, and has been part of an offensive line that has started the same players for 32 games—the longest current streak among NFL offensive lines—it is regarded as one of the league's best in run blocking. In 2010, Mangold wanted to restructure his contract with the team, however was admittedly disappointed with the pace of the contract talks. On August 24, 2010, Mangold signed a seven-year $55 million contract with $22.5 million guaranteed. By signing this contract, Mangold became the highest paid center in the NFL, but has since been surpassed by Ryan Kalil.

Personal
Mangold was born to Vernon and Therese Mangold. Mangold is the oldest of four children as he has three sisters, Kelley, Holley (an Olympic weightlifter) and Maggey. Mangold's sister Holley has achieved a degree of fame and sports success in her own right. She was an offensive lineman for the Alter High School Football Team. The team was state runner-up in 2006, and won the state championship in 2008 and 2009. In 2011, Holley was featured on an episode of MTV's True Life ("I'm the Big Girl"). Holley Mangold is also a weightlifter in the superheavyweight division. She participated in the 2012 Summer Olympics as a member of the U.S. weightlifting team, coming in 10th place.

Nick Mangold hails from the same hometown as fellow Ohio State alums Mike Nugent and A. J. Hawk. Mangold and Nugent were later teammates on the New York Jets. Mangold married Jennifer Richmond, his high school sweetheart, in April 2007, and they currently live in Chatham, New Jersey. Mangold has participated in various charitable events throughout his career.

Mangold appeared on the Wrap Up Show on Howard 100 after the broadcast of the Howard Stern Show on April 30, 2009. He has also campaigned with Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney.