Jared Wangler working hard to be a contributor this fall
Once committed to Penn State, 2014 linebacker signee Jared Wangler was destined to become a Wolverine when he committed in August. His father, John, played quarterback for Michigan from 1977-1980, leading them to a Rose Bowl win in 1981, and his older brother, Jack, is a redshirt freshman wide receiver for Michigan.
Wangler won't have any trouble adjusting to life as a Michigan Man.
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"It'll make things a lot more smooth for me," he said. "I'll have people who I can go to for advice, and that is always beneficial.
"My dad has always told me to work my hardest in the classroom and on the field no matter what."
Wangler played on the same team as Michigan sophomore quarterback Shane Morris, at Warren De La Salle, and is good friends with many of players in Michigan's 2013 recruiting class. His brother was also a part of the class, and Wangler was intrigued at the thought of teaming up with him and Morris at the next level.
"I'm really excited," he said. "It's an awesome opportunity, and a blessing that I'll be able to play with them at the next level. They both work really hard, and I've always looked up to them."
During Wangler's junior year, the Pilots were 5-4 on the year with Morris and his brother on the team. His senior year De La Salle went 6-4, and he managed to record 68 tackles, and was named an Under Amour All-American.
"We lost some close games, but overall I thought we had a really good team, and season," Wangler said. "We competed every week, but my season was cut short due to a shoulder injury, which was a bummer."
Since the season ended, Wangler has been rehabbing his shoulder, and training with former NFL player Lance Long, and trainer John Vickers of HYPE Athletics, trying to get bigger and stronger. He's now up to 6-2, 224-pounds, and has high hopes for this season for the team, as well as himself.
"I want to compete for a spot, and contribute in any way possible," said Wangler. "I just want to make the team better, but I think we're going to have a great year. We have a lot of talented players coming back, and it seems like everyone is hungry after not having a great year last season. I'm expecting a big season out of us."
Wangler will arrive on campus for good June 21, excited to be the next generation Wangler to don the maize and blue. And although his father had a successful career, and his brother is on the team, Wangler hopes to make a name for himself, which is why he chose Michigan.
"I've always wanted to play at Michigan since I was little," he said. "It's a topnotch university with a winning tradition in football. I love Coach Hoke and Coach Mattison, and I'm trying to leave my own mark on the program."
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