Miami OT signee Francis Mauigoa Polynesian Bowl Day 1 Alpha Dog
Miami football signee five-star offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa was named the day-one alpha dog at Polynesian Bowl practice by Brandon Huffman of 247 Sports. Mauigoa is the highest-rated 2023 Miami signee as the eighth top prospect, number one OT and second-best player in Florida.
Four-star 2023 Miami tight end signee Riley Williams is also participating in the Polynesian Bowl. The Polynesian Bowl is the only postseason all-star game that Francis Mauigoa is participating in. Williams took part in the Under Armour All-American week but did not play in the game.
Mauigoa is one of 36 players with Polynesia ancestry playing in Honolulu on Friday. Mauigoa is the third highest-rated 2023 signee participating in the Polynesian Bowl. USC signees, quarterback Malachi Nelson and wide receiver Zachariah Branch are the only higher-rated 2023 prospects than Mauigoa playing in Honolulu.
Williams is the fourth-ranked TE in the class of 2023 and the second-highest-rated Polynesian Bowl participant. Uncommitted and unsigned Duce Robinson who is the highest-rated 2023 TE is also participating in Hawaii this week. Several Miami signees also participated in the All-American Game in San Antonio earlier this month.
"Alpha Dog Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami signeeAfter skipping the Under Armour All-America Game to spend time with his family in American Samoa, Mauigoa had no intentions of missing the Polynesian Bowl, to which he was selected nearly two years ago.And he showed why he’s a top six player nationally and the composite’s No. 1 offensive tackle, leading drills, taking as many reps as he could and even lining up at tight end some. He’s got flexibility and athleticism and a frame that could still add some more weight."
Mauigoa is listed at 6-5.5, 330 pounds on his 247 Sports Profile. Miami will team Mauigoa with fellow five-star OT Samson Okunlola two provide the Hurricanes with anchors on both sides of the offensive line. Okunlola is the third-ranked OT in the 2023 class, giving Miami two of the top three true freshmen at the position.
Max Preps named Mauigoa a first-team All-American with fellow Miami signee Rueben Bain. Miami 2023 running back signee Mark Fletcher was named second-team All-American by Max Preps. Mauigoa took visits to Alabama, Florida, Miami, Tennessee and USC before committing to the Hurricanes last summer.
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Andrew Ivins of 247 Sports in his scouting report of Mauigoa posted in November as a special athlete with the size and quickness to be a difference-maker in college. Ivins stated that Mauigoa has to continue to improve from a technical standpoint but has held his own versus elite pass rushers including Bain.