Nick Mangold grew up in the same town as teammate and roommate A.J. Hawk. He played at Alter High School, a Catholic school in Centerville, Ohio. Nick has three younger sisters, one of which, Holley, plays offensive line at Alter High. Nick has been playing center since the seventh grade. At Alter he was a three year starter on both offense and defense. He was named to the all-Ohio team as a senior. In addition to playing football, Nick wrestled and threw shot put for the track team. After high school, Nick was offered a scholarship to Notre Dame. His mother wanted him to accept that scholarship because most of her family went to Notre Dame. Nick, A long time Ohio State fan, decided to play for the Buckeyes instead. As a freshman he was second on the depth chart and saw playing time in eight games. As a sophomore, Mangold took over for starter Alex Stepanovich after he went down with a knee injury. When Stepanovich returned, Mangold held onto the starting spot, starting the last eleven games of the season and pushing Stepanovich over to guard. After an outstanding junior season in 2004, which included offensive player of the week honors after the Northwestern game, Mangold was named second team all-big ten. He was named team captain prior to his senior campaign and is now one of the top centers available in the 2006 NFL draft.

Nick Mangold has a good deal of experience, having played the center position since the seventh grade and starting for the Buckeyes for the better part of the past three seasons. Nick has good size and plays with the “mean streak” you like to see in an offensive lineman. He is a dominating run blocker who blows defenders off the ball. He is an average pass blocker who could improve his pass protection.He is a hard worker who is always trying to improve his game and he displays solid technique. He is an intelligent player who knows his blocking assignments and makes all the proper line calls. He has proven to be a very durable player with no major injuries since taking over the starting center position in 2003. He will have trouble against some of the larger defensive tackles at times. He would benefit from bulking up and increasing his strength and he does have the frame in which to do so. Nick Mangold is one of the better interior offensive linemen available in the draft and should be a first day pick in April.