Arizona LB making the rounds
Linebacker Kurt Mangum (6-1, 230, 4.74) from Chandler (Ariz.) Bash is seeing his stock move in an upward direction due to a series of outstanding camp performances.
Some of the schools that have been by Bash this spring to check Mangum out are Illinois, UCLA, USC, Cal, Stanford, Washington, and hometown Arizona State.
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Michigan State and Purdue haven't been by the school yet but have contacted Mangum expressing interest.
Mangum hasn't received an offer just yet, but there is every indication that several could be in place by the second week in September.
The reason why there haven't been any offers to date is most schools have told Mangum they want to see him in his first couple of games at the linebacker and fullback positions.
Ever the team player, Mangum played out of position as a defensive end his junior season while playing for state champion Chandler (Ariz.) Hamilton.
Mangum has bee working very hard in the off-season getting ready for a breakout senior season. He knows that a good senior season will secure many D-I scholarships.
If his camp performances are any precursor to what kind of season Mangum will have then his many offer opportunities will be a slam dunk.
Mangum was the only player out of the Midwest region to be mentioned among the top five linebackers at the NIKE Camp held in West Lafayette, Ind.
At another combine Mangum was named linebacker MVP for the event. At the recent adidas camp help at UCLA, his linebacker coach said he was the best linebacker there.
Mangum is also getting the job done in the weight room, Mangum is benching 295, squats 415, cleans 245 and has recorded a 34-inch vertical jump.
What are Mangum's goals for his senior season?
"My goals for my senior season are to have over 100 tackles and at least 1,000 yards at fullback," Mangum said. "If I'm able to achieve those goals and with the help of my teammates, we can win the state championship."
What is Mangum looking for in a school?
"I want to attend a school that is strong academically and athletically," Mangum said. "Location doesn't matter and it won't be a major factor."