CBS Sports named Miami right tackle Francis Mauigoa as a first-team preseason All-American and wide receiver Keelan Marion to its second team as a kick returner on Wednesday. Marion and Mauigoa have previously been recognized as postseason All-Americans.
Mauigoa has started all 26 games for Miami in the last two seasons and has earned 2024 Second-Team All-ACC, 2023 Honorable Mention All-ACC and 2023 Freshman All-America. Sophomore defensive tackle Justin Scott is the only player with a higher rating as a high school prospect on the Miami roster.
The NFL Mock Draft Database, a composite of multiple sites, projects Mauigoa as the fifth pick in 2026. That would make Mauigoa the highest drafted offensive lineman from Miami in program history. Tackle Bryant McKinnie, the seventh overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings as the highest drafted Miami OL.
Marion played his first two seasons at Connecticut and then the last two at BYU. Marion was a first-team All-American and second-team All-Big 12 as a kick returner in 2024. In 2024 Marion was 17th nationally, averaging 26.22 yards per kickoff return and was one of five players to have two returns for touchdowns.
"When Mario Cristobal landed a commitment from Mauigoa, a top-10 player overall and No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2023 recruiting class, it was a statement of intent for how his Miami program would be built. Mauigoa has been a starter since Day 1, earning Freshman All-American honors two years ago and then backing it up with All-ACC recognition in 2024. The Hurricanes have had one of the top offensive lines in the country each of the last two years, and a big part of that success has been Mauigoa's size and strength at tackle."Chip Patterson
Marion has 76 receptions for 1,125 yards and seven TDs, 30 carries for 136 yards and five scores, 38 kickoff returns for 881 yards and two end zone trips and 10 punt returns for 124 yards. Marion is projected to be a major part of Miami offensively and should provide the special teams for the Hurricanes a boost.
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal and OL coach Alex Mirabal have continued building the Hurricanes in the trenches through recruiting. The only exception is at center, where Miami will start a transfer for the third consecutive year.
Five-star 2026 commit Jackson Cantwell is the heir apparent to Mauigoa next year. Miami will also have to find a replacement for Marion in 2025. Marion is a redshirt senior for Miami entering his fifth college season.
Mauigoa will anchor a Miami OL expected to be one of the best nationally again in 2025. Miami was fourth nationally in 2024, allowing 3.54 tackles for loss per game and 56th, allowing 1.77 sacks per game.
Miami was 33rd nationally in 2025, averaging 22.36 yards per kickoff return and 72nd, posting 7.53 yards per punt return. Marion is projected to be the primary Miami kick returner and backup Ray Ray Joseph as the punt returner for the Hurricanes.