Aug. 13, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. ââ'¬" Confidence is a powerful tool when it comes to leading players around you.
When a player makes assertive decisions in the heat of battle, his peers tend to trust him and follow suit.
Enter senior offensive lineman Angelo Mangiro ââ'¬" the player outside of Christian Hackenberg who had his hands on the ball during more than 90 percent of all the offensive plays last season.
Having played in 37-straight games, Mangiro is the offense's most experienced player, and he is one of the most versatile. The 6-foot-3 graduate senior worked his way up the depth chart to become the team's top guard and center reserve in 2012. He played at center and both guard positions in 2013. Last fall, Mangiro started two games at right tackle, but he found a home in the middle of the line by starting 10 games at center.
Now, with added depth up front, Mangiro and the offensive line have found some continuity leading up to the 2015 season.
"Their approach this off season, taking ownership of their position and their responsibility and their role, taking ownership of the success of the offense, having a chip on their shoulder," said head coach James Franklin. "All of those things are huge for us."
Mangiro is one of four players with significant starting experience back on the offensive line. As Coach Franklin noted, it's a group practicing with a chip on its shoulder. The line knows what type of potential it has, and Mangiro and the unit are practicing with a sense of urgency.
"I think our approach to things is what has stood out," Mangiro said. "It's how we are going into meetings, preparation, conducting ourselves in a professional manner that a veteran team should be doing."
The personable guy wearing No. 66 has done a terrific job developing a rapport with the man under center. Mangiro and Hackenberg walk to the line of scrimmage with a consistent vision and a common voice for the players around them.
"It's just something you see with time," Hackenberg said. "It's not just one guy in Angelo, it's what you see in all of those guys because they are older and more mature. I'm super excited for the opportunity they have because it's going to help the team."
Mangiro's belief in the line's potential resonates with everyone on the Penn State offense, not just Hackenberg. Being vocal is the name of the game and comes with the territory of the position he plays. That's why so many individuals around the man in the middle are so enthusiastic about what is in store for the fall.
Mangiro's air of confidence in those around him on the football field leads right into voicing his take on other subjects off the field. He's never shy. Take his pizza preference as an example.
Hailing from New Jersey, the senior comes from a family with Italian roots, so naturally he sought out a trip to taste test Chicago-style pizza during his trip to Big Ten Media Day at the end of July.
"Deep dish was great. But being a North Jersey guy, there is something about taking that slice and folding it, I have to go with the New York style pizza," Mangiro joked.
Mangiro is on a mission to do his part in leading the Nittany Lion offensive line to the best of his abilities.
He has the utmost trust of the men lining up around him because being the voice of the offensive line is the task Mangiro knows best.
And it's a task he is doing with confidence in 2015.