By John Maffei
Jaden Mangini is a linebacker by trade — and a quarterback out of necessity.
The La Jolla Country Day School senior is a leader and winner by nature.
“Jaden has the ‘it’ factor,” said La Jolla Country Day football coach Tyler Hales. “He’s a pure leader. It’s who he is. He has an aura and makeup that make others around him better.”
Mangini has committed to play next season at Navy, where he hopes to become a starting outside linebacker and a leader of men. Saturday, he’ll lead the Torreys (10-3) in to the CIF San Diego Section Division 3 championship game, where they’ll take on Grossmont (7-5). Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Southwestern College.
“A big reason we’re here is because of Jaden,” LJCD wide receiver Gianno Kassab said. “Obviously, he’s a great athlete. But his work ethic is unmatched. He’s running on the beach at 4 a.m., does things nobody sees because he wants to get better ... wants us to get better.
“He’s the most humble guy. And he really cares.”
A necessary switch
For three seasons, Mangini — who has been at La Jolla Country Day since kindergarten — was a star linebacker. He ranks among the top five in tackles in school history.
Last season, an injury to quarterback Beto Bass-Sulpizio forced Hales to make a move. So ...
“I asked my best linebacker and running back to play quarterback,” Hales said.
Mangini started LJCD’s final two games, throwing for 132 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Francis Parker and completing 15 of 19 passes for 122 yards and a TD in a playoff loss to Palo Verde Valley.
“I’m a football player,” the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Mangini said. “So when they needed me to play quarterback, well, OK. I’ve really fallen in love with the position. I like leading, I like being the field general.
“The quarterback has a lot of responsibility, and I love that. It’s on me, and I embrace that.”
Learning the ropes
In his first full season as a quarterback, Mangini has completed 127 of 207 passes for 1,763 yards and 25 touchdowns against four interceptions. He’s also the team’s leading rusher with 178 carries for 984 yards and 16 TDs.
“I joked with Beto that someday I’d be the quarterback. But I never thought it would happen,” Mangini said. “I got a taste of the position last season, but I had to learn to throw the ball like a quarterback, and it wasn’t pretty at first.”
Mangini played on the 7-on-7 passing circuit last summer, working with Lincoln High School associate head coach Jason Carter before an ankle injury slowed his progress.
He has come on strong over the final month. Over his last four games, Mangini has thrown for 658 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushed for 423 yards and five scores while the Torreys have outscored their opponents, 158-59.
Protecting his quarterback, Hales didn’t let Mangini play defense early in the season.
That changed around midseason. Since then, Mangini has racked up 20 tackles, six tackles-for-loss and an interception. Navy believes Mangini’s football future is on that side of the ball.
“Navy sees me as a hybrid guy — kind of a linebacker/safety with the freedom to make plays,” Mangini said. “Kind of like Travis Hunter at Colorado.”
Taking command
Mangini said he saw the Torreys’ deep playoff run coming. LJCD has “the best defense we’ve had here,” Mangini said.
The Torreys have four top receivers in Kassab, Madden Craig, Quentin Cesaire and Jack Circuit. Running back Davin Doaks has rushed for 681 yards this season. The offensive line, which includes left tackle Luke Givens, left guard Akio Fukumura, center Zach Dorros, right guard Kyle Minasian and right tackle Julius Patton, “has gotten better every game,” Mangini said.
“Because of them, we’re able to command the offense,” he said.
Taking command is something Mangini takes pride in.
It’s why he chose Navy. It’s why he’s involved in student council at Country Day. It’s why he decided to sing when the Country Day choir teacher came to a practice asking if anyone could sing bass.
“I like adding tools to my toolbox,” said Mangini, who has a 3.75 GPA. “My brother (Chase, who played at Tufts) was an athlete here. My sister (Elle) is a singer, arts-type person.
“Navy wasn’t my dream school. I had visited Harvard, but when Navy offered, I went on a visit and loved it. I love the honor involved. I love I can give back to my country. I love the discipline. I want to be part of something bigger than myself.
“I love that my future is set for five years after graduation.”
Asked where he saw himself after four years at Navy, Mangini was quick to answer.
“If I don’t get a shot at the NFL, I can see myself as a Navy SEAL,” he said. “My grandpa (Louis Terry) was a Marine. He left a legacy. Maybe I’d go that way.
“La Jolla Country Day isn’t an easy school. It’s a close-knit school. I had a first-grader come up to me a few weeks ago and ask for my autograph.
“That really touched me. This school molds leaders.”
john.maffei@sduniontribune.com