Miami Football OT Francis Mauigoa named ACC impact true freshman

Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa was named by Grant Hughes of 247 Sports as one of the “ACC football: Immediate impact true freshmen for every team ahead of 2023 season.” Mauigoa is the highest-rated player in the 2023 Miami football class that ranks eighth nationally in the 247 Sports composite rankings.

The 2023 Miami class ranks first in the ACC. Mauigoa and fellow OT Samson Okunlola provided Miami with two five-star signees in the same class for the second time in three years. Miami signed defensive tackle Leonard Taylor and safety James Williams in the 2021 class. Mauigoa will contend to start in 2023.

Mauigoa will be a part of a nearly entirely new Miami offensive line in 2023. Center Matt Lee and Guard Javion Cohen were brought in as transfers and are expected to start. Left tackle and right guard are expected to be the most competitive positions on the Miami OL entering training camp.

Zion Nelson and Jalen Rivers who are both returning from injuries that caused them to miss most of the 2022 season with injuries are projected to contend to be the starting LT. Mauigoa is the leading contender to start at right tackle. If Nelson is the LT, Rivers is likely to start at right guard.

"MIAMI: FRANCIS MAUIGOA, OT247Sports Ranking: 5-star | Overall: 10 | Position: 2InsideTheU’s David Lake reports that Mauigoa is the “likely” starter at right tackle after progressing from second team to first team during spring practice. “Mauigoa is a special talent at 6-feet-5 and 335 pounds while possessing elite athleticism at his size,” Lake wrote. “He is the prototype at right tackle.The Hurricanes are revamping the offensive line and hitting on a highly touted recruit like Mauigoa is a big part in improving that position group.”"

Mauigoa and Okunlola lead an elite Miami OL group of five in the 2023 class. Mauigoa and Okunlola should eventually anchor the Miami OL. Oklunlola also provides Miami with excellent size at 6’5 and 305 pounds. Okunlola could compete to be a starter at guard in 2023 with the potential to move back to tackle in 2024.

Mauigoa could push to be named a freshman All-American in 2023. Mauigoa is the sixth highest-rated player, second OT and top signee in the ACC in the 2023 class. Okunlola is the second highest-rated ACC signee in the 2023 Class. The Miami football program has solidified the future of the OL with Mauigoa and Okunlola.