Rueben Bain and Francis Mauigoa Midseason True Freshman All-Americans

Miami freshmen, defensive lineman Rueben Bain and offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa were named to the 247 Sports “Midseason True Freshman All-American Team for 2023″ on Wednesday. Bain and Mauigoa have arguably been the best linemen on their side of the ball this season.

Francis Mauigoa has started all six games for Miami this season. The Miami offensive line is arguably the most improved unit on the Hurricanes. A 2023 five-star signee, Mauigoa has helped significantly upgrade the talent on the Miami offensive line. Miami leads the ACC averaging 501.8 total yards per game.

Rueben Bain has been a menace on the defensive line. After posting exceptional numbers during his career at Miami Central, Bain has quickly become the most menacing pass rusher for the Hurricanes. Bain leads Miami DL with 11 tackles and the team with 2.5 sacks and is fourth on the Hurricanes with 3.0 tackles for loss.

Mauigoa was the highest-ranked 2023 Miami signee. Bain was the third-highest-ranked 2023 Miami signee and the top-ranked defensive player in the class. Several Miami true freshmen are making an impact this season. Running back Mark Fletcher has run for 133 yards and is averaging 5.54 yards per carry before getting hurt.

"FRANCIS MAUIGOA, OT, MIAMITop247 rank: No. 6 overall, No. 2 OTA starter pretty much from the moment he showed up on campus, Mauigoa has been as advertised. There have been a few hiccups — he’s allowed three sacks thus far — but Mauigoa leads all starting true freshman tackles with a 65 PFF college grade.He’s also been a plus run blocker for a Miami rushing attack that ranks 15th nationally in yards per carry.RUEBEN BAIN, DE, MIAMITop247 rank: No. 71 overall, No. 10 EDGEA sawed-off edge-rushing menace, Bain has quickly become one of the most effective pass rushers in the ACC. He leads all true freshmen with 19 pressures and paces the Hurricanes with 2.5 sacks to go along with 11 tackles (three for loss) and a forced fumble.Bain has posted four pressures in each of Miami’s conference games thus far."

Mauigoa is the sole freshman starter on an otherwise experienced Miami OL. Miami brought in transfer Matt Lee at center and Javion Cohen at guard and returned starters Anez Cooper and Jalen Rivers on the OL to mentor Mauigoa. Cooper was a starting guard as a true freshman during the 2022 season.

Bain and Mauigoa have been impact freshmen. If Miami is going to reach its goals over the final six games, Bain and Mauigoa will have to continue to be impact players. Cornerback Damari Brown, DL Jayden Wayne and wide receiver Nathaniel Joseph are other Miami true freshmen to watch in the last half of the season.