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 . Mangold attended Ohio State University , and was a three - year starter at center for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team . He 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 . Professional career . 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 .