All Signs Pointed to Bloomington for Indiana Linebacker Jacob Mangum-Farrar
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Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
It is 2,322 miles from Palo Alto, California home of Stanford University to IU’s campus in Bloomington, Indiana, but all signs pointed towards Jacob Mangum-Farrar making the cross-country trip from the west coast to the midwest.
“It was weird, like, I had a bunch of connections that I just felt like it was a sign. My high school. linebacker coach was actually coached by the receivers coach (Adam Henry) that was here at McNeese, and I was like, ‘man, this is a sign and on top of that they're producing really quality linebackers over the years.” Mangum-Farrar said.
The Stanford transfer joined the Hoosiers in January and is participating in spring practice has been standing out.
After missing the 2020 season with an injury Mangum-Farrar had a productive career with the Cardinal, but is looking for a fresh start with the Hoosiers.
“I really liked the scheme of the defense and how it allows the linebackers to play very free and very instinctual.” Mangum-Farrar said. “There's a lot of guys on the team and especially on the defense that are just competitors that push me every day to get better.”
Indiana linebackers coach Chad Wilt has struck a chord with Mangum-Farrar as well as the linebacker said Wilt “has a great mind and he's very personable, and he really takes the time to make sure like you understand what's going on.”
Another aspect of being new to any team is getting to know and gelling with teammates, which Mangum-Farrar is doing.
“They've been super welcoming since the day I came in. And just the defense as a whole and then the offense to like I don't get as much time with them, but they've been welcoming also.” Mangum-Farrar said.
The biggest mystery surrounding Mangum-Farrar is where he will deployed on defense. The 6’4” 241-pound linebacker could be lined up on the edge or in the middle of the defense for IU.
“I'm lining up in different positions.” Mangum-Farrar siad. “It allows me to be versatile and make myself broaden my horizons, I guess. Which I'm welcoming, because at Stanford, I had a couple of different positions, but nothing like this.”
Hoosier fans will have a chance to get a glimpse of Jacob Mangum-Farrar and the Hoosier defense on April 15th during their Spring Football Saturday event in Bloomington from 11am-1pm.