Miami football projected top five for 5-star OT Francis Mauigoa

The Miami football program who is currently one of 13 finalists to gain a committment from 2023 five-star offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa will likely make the cut for his top five or six. Mauigoa is the eighth ranked player, second ranked OT and second in Florida in the Class of 2023 from IMG Academy.

Mauigoa would be a foundational player for Miami in the 2023 Class. Miami currently has the 21st ranked 2023 Class with five commits. Including in the class are offensive linemen, four-star Antonio Tripp and three-star Frankie Tinilau. The Miami football program signed two 2022 OL and added another two through the transfer portal.

Under Mario Cristobal, Miami will make the OL a priority. Greg Biggins of 247 Sports projects the Miami football program to primarily compete with Alabama, Florida, Oregon and USC to sign Mauigoa. There are not any crystal balls from 247 Sports for Mauigoa. USC is the favorite for Mauigoa with a 48.3 chance to sign him per On3.

Miami has the second highest projection from On3 to sign Mauigoa at 22.4 percent. Alabama is at 17 percent, Oregon 11 with Florida a less than one percent chance. Mario Cristobal and Miami OL coach Alex Mirabal previously had a relationship with Mauigoa when they were at Oregon. Biggins profiled Mauigoa’s Miami recruitment.

"MIAMI HURRICANES“When Mauigoa trims his list to five or six, which we expect to happen in a month or so, the Canes are a lock to make that cut. He has a very strong relationship with the Miami staff, most notably head coach Mario Cristobal and OL coach Alex Mirabal.Oregon was probably the leader for Mauigoa when Cristobal and Mirabal were leading his recruitment for the Ducks and they wasted no time making him a top priority when they took over at Miami. Mauigoa has already visited Miami multiple times and should be one of the first official visits he lines up.The official visit to Miami will likely be a summer visit and we expect he’ll also attend a game or two in the fall as well.”"

At 6’5 330 pounds, Mauigoa projects as the anchor on the OL. Mauigoa “projects as a impact upper tier Power 5 starter and future high round NFL draft pick” according to his evaluation from Biggins. Cristobal has proven he can develop OL. Penei Sewell was the seventh pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions from Oregon.

Biggins stated that Alabama is somewhat of a dream school for Mauigoa. Mauigoa played his first year of high school at Aquinas in San Bernardino, California. If Mauigoa wants to return to the West Coast, Oregon and USC would have an advantage. Mauigoa is a player who will be ready to step in and play as a freshman.