Miami football 2023 class signed bedrock OL per national CFB analyst
Brandon Marcello of 247 Sports named the offensive linemen signed by the Miami football program as part of his “National Signing Day 2023: Evaluating the recruiting cycle’s Bedrock Classes“ Marcello highlighted five-star offensive tackle signees Francis Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola.
Mauigoa and Okunlola are the two highest-rated signees in the 2023 Miami football class. Miami head coach Mario Cristobal has been consistent after stating the emphasis of the Hurricanes would be at the line of scrimmage in his tenure. Miami has signed multiple high-rated linemen in the two classes under Cristobal.
In addition to Mauigoa and Okunlola the third and fourth highest-rated 2023 Miami football signees are defensive linemen Rueben Bain and Jayden Wayne. Miami signed highly rated DL Cyrus Moss and Nyjalik Kelly in the 2022 class. The Hurricanes also fortified the DL with transfer tackles Branson Deen and Thomas Gore.
Kelly was productive as a reserve in 2022. Bain has the opportunity to be a situational pass rusher for Miami in 2023. Miami returns most of its DL in 2023. The OL has had a makeover. In addition to Mauigoa and Okunlola, Miami added transfer OL Javion Cohen and Matt Lee. Marcello summarized the Miami linemen.
https://twitter.com/247Sports/status/1620801639476039680?s=20&t=GAxIC1X37LauNWn8kSSBVw
"MIAMI’S 5-STAR OFFENSIVE LINEMario Cristobal is a big believer in giants. The Miami coach built his Oregon roster around the offensive and defensive lines, molding the Ducks into a bully in the trenches out West. Now he’s doing the same at his alma mater and it’s his second class (2023) that should provide him with the anchors the Hurricanes’ need to be future ACC contenders.Miami started in the trenches, with four linemen rated as the Hurricanes’ top signees. As a result, Cristobal’s class is the only one in the country to sign two five-star offensive linemen in the cycle — and they’re both tackles. Francis Mauigoa is a monster. But more importantly, he’s dominant even though he is polishing and refining his technique.The American Samoan moved from right to left tackle upon his transfer to national powerhouse IMG Academy in 2022 and was fantastic against the best pass rushers in the country.He’s already drawing comparisons to another former Cristobal project: Oregon’s Penei Sewell. Like Sewell, Mauigoa is expected to be a first-rounder in the NFL Draft in a few years, per 247Sports’ Andrew Ivins.Fellow tackle Samson Okunlola also has first-round potential and comes to campus ready to play immediately as a tremendous pass protector who rarely bends at the waist. 247Sports analyst Brian Dohn observed him early during his senior season, noting his concentration and effort to work outside of practices on technique.He is much better suited as a pass protector early in his career. Still, run-blocking development should come quickly, particularly with his already-impressive size and flexibility at 6-5 and 305 pounds.The signees5-star OT Francis Mauigoa (No. 2 OT)5-star OT Samson Okunlola (No. 4)3-star IOL Tommy Kinsler (No. 49)3-star IOL Antonio Tripp (No. 60)3-star OT Frankie Tinilau (No. 82)"
Kinsler, Tinilau and Tripp are projects that will likely redshirt in 2023 if the Miami OL can stay healthy. Freshman Anez Cooper had to play significant snaps in 2022 for Miami due to multiple injuries on the OL. Cohen, Lee, returning guard Jalen Rivers and left tackle Zion Nelson are likely starters on the 2023 Miami OL.
Rivers missed a significant portion of the 2022 season and Nelson was out the entire year after he never recovered from surgery over the summer. Cohen, Lee, Nelson and Rivers are the likely Miami starters on the OL with Mauigoa and Okunlola competing to be the fifth starters and potentially sharing snaps.