ESPN latest naming Francis Mauigoa ACC impact freshman

A week after being named an ACC impact freshman by 247 Sports, Francis Mauigoa earned the same honor from ESPN. Francis Mauigoa has been the first-team right tackle for Miami since the second practice of the spring. The honor for Mauigoa came in ESPN’s “2023 college football outlook: ACC at a glance.”

ESPN named three impact freshmen for the entire ACC. The 247 Sports list of impact freshmen named at least one player from each program. Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods and North Carolina State tight end/wide receiver Javonte Vereen were the other two ACC impact freshmen named by ESPN.

Mauigoa is the sixth-ranked player, top offensive tackle, number one player out of Florida and third in the Southeast in the 2023 class. Woods is the only 2023 ACC signee ESPN ranks higher than Mauigoa. Woods is the fourth-ranked 2023 signee nationally by ESPN. Mauigoa is part of a revamped Miami offensive line.

Mario Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal made the line of scrimmage for Miami a priority in the offseason. Transfer offensive linemen guard Javion Cohen and center Matt Lee are also projected to be impact players for Miami in 2023. Andrea Adelson of ESPN summarized why Mauigoa is expected to be an impact freshman.

"“Miami OL Francis Mauigoa: Miami coach Mario Cristobal knew he had to improve the offensive line and went and signed two of the best linemen in the class of 2023 — five-star prospects Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola.Though we are highlighting Mauigoa, make note of Okunlola, too, because both will be significant contributors to the Miami line and are pushing to be starters this season. — Adelson"

Mauigoa has routinely drawn praise since signing with Miami in December. Miami freshmen defensive lineman Rueben Bain and Mauigoa were named 247 Sports freshmen All-American last week. Okunlola is expected to be a part of the rotation on the Miami OL in 2023. The 2023 Miami class ranked seventh nationally.

Okunlola is projected to begin the season as a backup.If Miami suffers a significant injury on the OL or has players who are not productive, Okunlola could become a starter later in the season. Expect the line of scrimmage to continue to have upgraded talent as long as Cristobal is the Miami head coach.