Francis Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola named 2023 instant impact recruits

Chris Hummer of 247 Sports included 2023 five-star offensive tackle Miami football signees Francis Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola on “The All-Impact Team: 2023 recruits who could play right away.” Mauigoa and Okunlola are the highest-rated signees in the 2023 Miami class.

Miami will have right tackle open following the graduation of starter D.J. Scaife. Zion Nelson returns at left tackle after missing all of the 2022 season to recover from surgery in July. Either Mauigoa and Okunlola should compete to be the starting RT for Miami in 2023 with the other potential starting at guard.

Mauigoa is the 10th-ranked player, second OT and second prospect in the 2023 class. Okunlola is 23rd overall, fourth OT and first in Massachusetts for 2023. Mario Cristobal made the line his priority in recruiting since he was hired in December 2021. Mauigoa and Okunlola will anchor the Miami offensive line for the next three years.

Hummer profiles the Miami OL and how Mauigoa and Okunlola potentially fit in. Transfer additions Javion Cohen and Matt Lee provide Miami with experience and a talent upgrade on the interior of the OL. Cohen is an Alabama transfer at guard and Lee is a center from Central Florida. Cohen and Lee graded highly in 2022.

"Francis Mauigoa, OL, MiamiTop247 Rank: No. 6 overall, No. 2 OTMiami is replacing both of its starting offensive tackles, so it’s a safe bet at least one of its five-star offensive line additions plays from the jump. You’re splitting hairs between Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola for who grabs a tackle spot – maybe both do if Zion Nelson isn’t back to 100%…But we’re respecting the rankings here and slotting Mauigoa as a starter first. A dominant high school player and one of the most physically gifted athletes in the 2023 class, Mauigoa has all the requisite traits, including a 6-foot-6, 330-pound frame, to play immediately in Coral Gables.Samson Okunlola, OL, MiamiTop247 Rank: No. 20 overall, No. 4 OTYep, both Miami five-star offensive linemen make this list. Mario Cristobal didn’t recruit them to sit. The Hurricanes’ o-line must get better quickly, and the two true freshmen could be a big part of that. There’s a world in which Okunlola, who has more of a tackle’s body at 6-foot-5, 305 pounds, starts on one side and Mauigoa slides inside.Perhaps Nelson is behind on his recovery and both freshmen start at tackle. Either way, the two Miami five-star linemen will be given every shot to join a line who’s only guarantees are transfers Javion Cohen and Matt Lee."

Miami finished 100th nationally allowing three sacks per game in 2022 and 95th averaging 3.74 yards per carry. Both of those numbers are indictive of a pourous OL. Miami needs more production up front in 2023. The additions of Cohen, Lee, Mauigoa and Okunlola should greatly improve the Miami OL in 2023.

Miami could start an entirely new OL in 2023. Guard Jalen Rivers returns from an injury after starting seven games in 2022. Rivers would be the only OL starter for Miami in 2023 that started the majority of the games in 2022. Cristobal and OL coach Alex Mirabal have frequently been praised for the abilities in development.

Miami needs a productive spring and August training camp developing the OL. Five OL were signed in the 2023 class in total. Three-star signees Tommy Kinsler, Frankie Tinilau and Antonio Tripp project more as players who will be developed long term. Expect Kinsler, Tinilau and Tripp to redshirt in 2023.