Why Vaughn Reinert is Built for the Big Stage

Class of 2027 | DB/RB | Torrance HS (CA)
HT: 5’9″ | WT: 180 lbs | GPA: 3.8

On a Friday night at Lawndale, Torrance’s Vaughn Reinert stood deep to field a punt. The ball hung in the air, he skipped the fair catch, and two defenders leveled him at once. Ball loose, lungs emptied, snot bubbles flying.

“That was a welcome-to-high-school moment,”

Reinert says with a grin. But that season also brought his first signature play — a game-winning interception in the playoffs that sent Torrance to the CIF championship game. Same kid, same year: one night humbled, another night heroic. That contrast still defines him — a competitor who takes hits, bounces back, and makes the next play.

Reinert grew up on baseball diamonds, picking up the game when he was four. Football came later, flag in fifth grade, then tackle with the PV Mavericks. By high school, his role was clear: he would be Torrance’s two-way weapon. As a sophomore, he recorded six interceptions and nearly 70 tackles on defense, while adding production out of the backfield. This season, his goals are higher: 100 tackles, 20 touchdowns, and 1,500 total yards.

“I want at least two touchdowns a game,” he says. “I’m around 100 yards a game right now, but I know I need a big breakout.”

The Hidden Gem Factor

At first glance, Reinert doesn’t fit the mold of a Power 4 prospect. He’s undersized compared to some recruits, and he doesn’t hold an offer yet. But his edge is obvious. Asked why a coach should believe in him, he doesn’t hesitate:

“Cause I’m a dog. I’m hungry. I won’t let you down. I’ll get the job done for sure.“

He describes his on-field identity in one word: “Feared.” It’s not bravado. It’s earned through film sessions, sideline leadership, and the kind of hits that make receivers hear footsteps.

Off the field, though, he’s easygoing. Favorite movie: The Sandlot. Favorite meal: burgers at In-N-Out with teammates after a game. Playlist: Skillet, Seven Nation Army, and the kind of rock that rattles stadium speakers. He’s more laid-back friend than fiery drill sergeant — until kickoff.

Team & Mentors

Reinert embodies Torrance’s culture: scrappy, overlooked, and hungry.

“We’ve been underdogs for a while, but now we’re finally getting respect,” he says. “We play hard. We play with a chip on our shoulder.”

As a team captain, he knows eyes are on him. “Everyone looks at me in games. I get them hyped in the locker room. If we need a play, that’s on me.”

He credits his trainer, Keith Franklin, for sharpening his mobility and hip work, and coaches like Carter and Doug Figueroa for instilling toughness. His uncle Mark — a former Division I player — has guided him through recruiting. And his grandma, he says proudly, is always the loudest voice in the stands.

Goals & Recruiting

Reinert has no offers yet, though programs like SDSU, ASU, Boise State, and Cal Poly are on his radar. Last summer, he camped at Yale, toured facilities, and got his first taste of the recruiting process. “They told me they just needed to see one more year,” he explains.

Until then, his focus is simple: production. He wants to match last year’s six interceptions, push toward 100 tackles, and shoulder the workload in Torrance’s offense.

“I’ve been overlooked for my size,” he admits. “But I know I’m better than a lot of guys with offers. That’s what drives me.”

Looking Ahead

South Bay culture fits Reinert perfectly: mornings on the beach, workouts under the sun, and no excuses. “Good weather all the time means you can’t skip work,” he says.

Football, though, is the focus. Reinert wants to earn his way onto a Division I roster, and if not, he’ll stay in sports through physical therapy. But don’t mistake that for hedging. His goals are clear — win a state championship, lead his team, and prove to recruiters that Torrance football is for real.

And when you ask him if he’s a hidden gem, he doesn’t hesitate: “One hundred percent.” Pressure creates diamonds. Vaughn Reinert is ready for his turn to shine.