Miami Hurricanes commit Francis Mauigoa named second freakiest recruit

Five-star Miami Hurricanes offensive tackle commit Francis Mauigoa is ranked second by 247 Sports in their “The 2023 Freaks List: 50 of the freakiest college football recruits.” Mauigoa is the seventh-ranked player, top OT and second in Florida in the Class of 2023. Mauigoa is the highest ranked 2023 Miami commit.

Although Mauigoa is the only Miami commit on the top 50 freakiest 2023 recruits, there are five more players named who are strongly considering Miami. Five-star OT Samson Okunlola is trending to Miami. The 2023 Miami recruiting class currently ranks ninth nationally. Mauigoa should challenge to be a starter in 2023.

Muaigoa is 6’5, 330 pounds. The scouting report from Andrew Ivins of 247 Sports evaluated that Mauigoa “moves different than most people his size.” Ivins evaluated that Mauigoa has to improve his pass blocking and that he played right tackle at IMG Academy last season. Mauigoa is one of four Miami Hurricanes commits at IMG.

Gaining the commitment from Mauigoa was huge for head coach Mario Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal. The Miami OL is not as talented as the rest of the roster. Mauigoa is one of four OL committed to Miami for 2023. A commitment from Okunlola would provide Miami with a pair of anchors on the OL of the future.

"NO. 2: FRANCIS MAUIGOA, OT (MIAMI COMMIT)You remember that video of former NFL first-round pick Evan Neal doing a split box jump at 360 pounds? Yeah, Francis Mauigoa can also do that.And while Mauigoa might not be as large as Neal was as an 11th grader, he happens to be a much better athlete than Neal was heading into his senior season at the national powerhouse that is Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy, at least from a testing standpoint.Back in April, Mauigoa went 5.3 in the 40-yard dash and 4.5 in the short shuttle at 6-foot-4.5, 330 pounds. The Freaks List qualifiers don’t stop there for the American Samoa transplant, who at one time considered himself a defensive lineman by trade before figuring out that he could probably make more money one day protecting the quarterback instead of rushing the quarterback.This past summer, Mauigoa played some club volleyball while in Hawaii, and he was more than just some backrow rotational player as he was able to elevate over the net and spike the ball with authority time and time again. Mario Cristobal and Miami beat out plenty for Mauigoa’s commitment back on July 4.He could play Day 1 for the Hurricanes.”"

Miami expects to lose protected 2022 starting tackles Zion Nelson and D.J. Scaife after the season. Nelson has one year of eligibility remaining after 2022, while Scaife is entering his final season. Nelson will miss the beginning of the 2022 season after July knee surgery. Miami doesn’t have a lot of OT depth behind Nelson and Scaife.

John Campbell is projected to start at one OT until Nelson returns. Campbell and Mauigoa could be the starting OTs in 2023. The athleticism of Mauigoa and coaching from Cristobal and Mirabal should help him develop into a first-round pick. Mauigoa has also been a leader recruiting other 2023 prospects for the Miami Hurricanes.