Maximilian Mang
_01.jpg) Mang with Syracuse in 2024 | |
| No. 45 – Indianapolis Colts | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Tight end |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | March 13, 2000 Potsdam, Germany |
| Height: | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Weight: | 267 lb (121 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College: | Syracuse (2020–2024) |
| NFL draft: | 2025: undrafted |
| CFL draft: | 2025G: 2nd round, 11th pick |
| Career history | |
| |
| Roster status: | Active/international |
Maximilian Mang (born March 13, 2000) is a German professional American football tight end for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Syracuse Orange and was signed by the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2025.
Early life
[edit]Mang was born on March 13, 2000, in Potsdam, Germany.[1] He grew up playing soccer, then switched to table tennis from ages seven to 10, and then began playing volleyball.[2] He was a top player for his volleyball club, helping them reach the quarterfinals of the under-14 national championships, and was selected for the extended youth national team.[2] He became interested in American football after watching Super Bowl XLVIII between the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos.[3] At around age 16, he joined the Potsdam Royals of the German Football League (GFL) as a wide receiver.[2][4] During the 2018 season, he moved to the Berlin Rebels and began playing as a tight end and defensive end.[3][2]
College career
[edit]While playing in the GFL, Mang was noticed by Brandon Collier's PPI organization, designed to get European players opportunities in college football.[3] He attended various camps in the U.S. and was offered a scholarship by the Penn State Nittany Lions in 2019, but was not able to join due to issues in filing paperwork to be eligible.[3] The following year, he received an offer from the Syracuse Orange and signed to play for them as part of the 2020 recruiting class.[3][5]
Mang appeared in all 11 games as a freshman at Syracuse in 2020, being used on special teams.[1] He played in all 12 games in 2021, five as a starter, and had one reception for 12 yards.[1] He had his most productive season as a sophomore in 2022, catching five passes for 31 yards.[3][1] He started three games in 2023 and two games in 2024, catching two passes for 12 yards in 2023 and one pass for five yards in 2024.[1] Mainly used as a blocking tight end at Syracuse, he finished his collegiate career having appeared in all but one game and caught nine passes for 60 yards.[6]
Professional career
[edit]After going unselected in the 2025 NFL draft, Mang signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent.[3] He was designated the team's exempt/international player as part of the International Player Pathway (IPP) program.[7] He was also selected by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the second round (11th overall) of the 2025 CFL global draft.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Maximilian Mang". Syracuse Orange.
- ^ a b c d Bailey, Stephen (December 18, 2019). "How German TE Maximilian Mang ended up a Syracuse football signee". Syracuse.com – via archive.today.
- ^ a b c d e f g Erickson, Joel A. (May 14, 2025). "How 6-7 UDFA Colts TE Maximilian Mang made it from Germany to the NFL". The Indianapolis Star – via archive.today.
- ^ Snyder, Audrey (August 2, 2019). "Inside German prospect Maximilian Mang's long journey in pursuit of a football scholarship". The Athletic – via archive.today.
- ^ Bailey, Stephen (December 18, 2019). "Signing day surprise: German TE Maximilian Mang joins Syracuse football". Syracuse.com.
- ^ Edmonds, Javon (April 28, 2025). "Syracuse's Max Mang signs with Indianapolis Colts". Syracuse.com.
- ^ "Colts claim DT Eric Johnson off waivers; waive S Marcel Dabo". Indianapolis Colts. May 15, 2025.
- ^ "Ticats Add Punter, Tight End in CFL Global Draft". Hamilton Tiger-Cats. April 29, 2025.