A little over 44 years ago, a legend was born in Catheys Valley, a small town near Mariposa, less than an hour and a half away from Fresno State.
When you think of guys that really represent Fresno State Football, there aren’t many guys that come to mind more than Logan Mankins.
“He’s someone who really epitomizes the Valley, the toughness, the grit that’s required to be a Bulldog,” Head Coach Matt Entz said.
Mankins returned home this last week to the same Valley where he grew up.
“[Catheys Valley] was just a small town in the foothills before you got up to Yosemite,” Mankins said of his hometown in the Valley. “There is not a whole lot going on there. There is a lot of ranching and loggers. And that is all my family had done forever, so that is all I knew about.”
On Saturday during halftime against Boise State, Mankins became the 14th overall member (including his former Head Coach Pat Hill) and the first Bulldogs offensive lineman inducted into the Fresno State Ring of Honor, forever retiring the number 74 uniform.
“I never expected it,” Mankins said. “I’m truly honored…there have been so many great players that have played at Fresno State and to be included with them and the coaches that have been there is pretty special.”
He may not have expected it but it was certainly well deserved. After redshirting in 2000, Mankins earned the starting job as the left tackle in 2001, serving as the blind side protector for quarterback David Carr. Mankins allowed just two sacks all season and was named a Sporting News First-Team All-American.
Mankins missed his entire junior year but it didn’t derail his career.
“I was raised around a lot of old-school and hardworking men,” said Mankins. “My dad always said no matter what, you get up and go do your job.”
His time at Fresno State peaked as a senior when he returned to start every game in 2004, not allowing a sack or pressure all year while recording a school record 82 pancakes en route to being named a Second-Team All-American. He also became the ‘Dogs first Offensive Lineman in school history to be named team Most Valuable Player.
He did not allow a sack in 387 consecutive pass plays to end his career, and allowed just three total QB sacks in his 40 game collegiate career.
Mankins would go on to be drafted in the first round by the New England Patriots where he played left guard for the first 9 of his 11 seasons. He was a 6x All-Pro (1st team in 2010) and a 7x Pro Bowler.
In front of friends, family and 43,086 Bulldog fans on Saturday, Mankins recalled Fresno State upsetting then No. 10 ranked-Oregon State 44-24 in September of 2001 at Bulldog Stadium.
“I remember my first game …[the fans] stormed the field and tore the goal post because we beat the (crap) out of Oregon State,” Mankins said.
Mankins, who got to ride out on the tractor pregame, lives back east in Massachusetts now with his wife Kara where they live on a farm, fitting ain’t it.
Either in California or back in Massachusetts, one thing remains true no matter what, Logan Mankins and the number 74 will be remembered forever at Fresno State.
Story written by Al Scott. Photos courtesy of Ryan Sepulveda (FSM).