Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa joined defensive back Duane Starks as the second Hurricane selected 10th in the NFL Draft. Mauigoa was selected 10th by the New York Giants on Thursday night and Starks went in the same slot of the 1998 NFL Draft to the Baltimore Ravens.
Mauigoa was one of three Miami alums to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. The 2026 NFL Draft was the first time three Miami players were selected in the first round since 2007. Defensive linemen, Rueben Bain joined Mauigoa as the 15th pick to the Kansas City Chiefs and Akheem Mesidor went 22nd to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Mauigoa is projected as the starting right guard for the Giants in 2026. In three seasons with Miami, Mauigoa started 42 games at right tackle. ESPN praised Mauigoa as the best anchor in the 2026 NFL Draft. Many projections had Bain moving inside in the NFL.
Starks played in 62 games with 43 starts in four seasons with Baltimore, recording 350 tackles, 81 passes defended, 25 interceptions, seven forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, two tackles for loss and one sack. After Baltimore, Starks played two seasons for the Arizona Cardinals and one each for the New England Patriots and Oakland Raiders.
Miami NFL Draft Top 10 history
Mauigoa joins an elite group of Miami players selected in the top 10 of the NFL Draft. Twenty Hurricanes have preceded Mauigoa in the top 10 of the NFL Draft. The 2026 NFL Draft is the first time Miami has had players selected in the top 10 of the NFL Draft in consecutive years since 2005.
Quarterback Cam Ward was the first overall pick by the Tennessee Titans in the 2025 NFL Draft. Defensive back Antrel Rolle was selected eighth overall by Arizona in 2005. Safety Sean Taylor was selected fifth overall by Washington in 2004 and Kellen Winslow went sixth to the Cleveland Browns.
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