“The Mangler” Says No Thanks to Vikings
A man nicknamed The Mangler will not be a part of the Minnesota Vikings’ 2025 plans.
“The Mangler” Says No Thanks to Vikings
A birth name of Blake Mangelson, a BYU defensive tackle, received an invitation to join the Vikings at rookie minicamp in nine days, but the Pittsburgh Steelers swooped with a UDFA contract instead.
Blake Mangelson — “The Mangler” — Signs with Steelers
Steelers Now‘s Jobe Morrison wrote this week, “The Pittsburgh Steelers snagged away massive defensive tackle Blake Mangelson of BYU from an NFC team’s rookie camp invite. The Pittsburgh Steelers were not done with the 2025 NFL Draft pool on Saturday. Shortly after the draft, the Steelers began to sign undrafted free agents. Among their signings, they are bringing in BYU’s Blake Mangelson.”
“Mangelson originally was invited to the Minnesota Vikings’ rookie minicamp as an opportunity to find a roster spot. Instead, the Steelers offered a spot and he agreed to go there on Monday.”
Minnesota missed out because money talks.
The Skinny on The Mangler
Morrison added about Mangelson: “Mangelson stands at six-feet and five-inches while weighing 270 pounds. This aligns with the Steelers’ philosophy of their defensive linemen: big, tall athletes with long arms.”
“Mangelson is a native of his college’s state of Utah where he graduated from Juab High School. He did not have a star rating during the recruiting process but became one of BYU’s strongest contributors. He received multiple All-Big-12 third and fourth-team honors while also obtaining All-Big-12 Academic honors.”
Minnesota employs plenty of defensive tackles through the end of April, but The Mangler would’ve involved a fascinating tryout.
Morrison concluded, “Over the course of his collegiate career, Mangelson recorded 82 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and two-and-a-half sacks. His senior season was his best season yet as he recorded two sacks, six tackles for loss, and 37 tackles. He also recovered his only fumble. He will have an opportunity to battle for a roster spot that got a little more clear after the release of Montravius Adams.”
Deseret News‘ Jay Drew explained the nickname of The Mangler‘s origins last fall: “Blake Mangelson grew up moving sprinkler pipe, working with cows, riding horses and branding cattle on his grandparents’ spread in central Utah, among other chores associated with a rural lifestyle, but BYU’s starting defensive tackle doesn’t consider himself a full-fledged cowboy or farmer.”
“Rather, the 6-foot-5, 280-pound senior who was an all-state football star and state heavyweight wrestling champion prefers another nickname that has picked up speed the past few months: ‘The Mangler.'”
The Steelers DTs
In Pittsburgh, Mangelson will vie for a roster spot against these defensive tackles:
- Cameron Heyward
- Derrick Harmon
- Keeanu Benton
- Isaiahh Loudermilk
- Yahya Black
- Daniel Ekuale
- Logan Lee
- Jacob Slade
- Dean Lowry
- Esezi Otomewo
- Domenique Davis
In other words, an uphill battle.
Vikings Sign The Mangler‘s Teammate
In other BYU news, Minnesota signed The Mangler‘s teammate last weekend, pass rusher Tyler Batty.
Batty secured a deal worth more than $250,000 guaranteed, noteworthy for an undrafted free-agent contract, so, at the very least, he should live on the purple practice squad in 2025.
He was not drafted last weekend because of his age — Batty will be 26 before training camp and the preseason.
2 Other Notable Minicamp Invites for Vikings
Minnesota handed out a couple more notable rookie minicamp invitations. Nebraska Cornhuskers cornerback Tommi Hill — who many thought would be drafted in Round 5, 6, or 7 last Saturday — will be in Eagan on May 8th, hoping to impress Vikings coaches and grab a summer contract.
Randy Moss’ son, Montigo Moss, a wide receiver — go figure — will be there, too. Montigo Moss played collegiately at the University of Maine, and because of his undrafted status, he hopes to latch onto Minnesota’s summer roster and perhaps end up on the practice squad.
Oddsmakers expect The Mangler‘s Steelers to win 8.5 games in 2025 — the same Vegas forecast for Minnesota.
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