Miami middle linebacker Francisco Mauigoa continued his preseason numerous recognitions by being named to the Butkus Award Watch List Tuesday. Mauigoa was previously honored by being named to the Bednarik Award and Nagurski Trophy watch lists and named Preseason All-ACC.
Mauigoa is one of 11 Miami players to receive 2024 preseason honors. Edge rusher Rueben Bain and Mauigoa were named to the Bednarik Award preseason watch list on Monday. Bain, kicker Andres Borregales, Mauigoa, Restrepo and Ward were all named preseason All-ACC.
The Butkus Award which honors the best LB in college football, named 51 players from 44 programs to its watch list. Dan Morgan in 2000 is the only Miami player to win the Butkus Award in its 39-year history. The Butkus Award is named in honor of former Illinois and Chicago Bears LB Dick Butkus.
Butkus was a consensus All-American in 1963 and a unanimous All-American in 1964. Although he played center and LB in college, Butkus became a Pro Football Hall of Famer for his tenacious and vicious play at LB for the Bears in the 1960s and 1970s.
The brotherhood of @CanesFootball 🙌
— Miami Hurricanes (@MiamiHurricanes) July 29, 2024
Francisco Mauigoa has learned from some of the greatest to ever wear the orange and green.
Mauigoa joins host @joshdarrow on this week's episode of the 'Behind The U' podcast.
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Mauigoa led Miami with 82 tackles and 18.0 tackles for loss in 2023, tied for the team lead with Bain recording 7.5 sacks and added 2.0 forced fumbles, four passes defended and a forced fumble in 2023. Entering a second season under defensive coordinator Lance Guidry, Mauigoa can improve those numbers.
The Butkus Award semifinalists are expected to be announced on November 4, with finalists to be named on November 25. The winner will be named on December 10 at the ESPN College Football Awards. Kicker Jose Borregales was the last Miami national award winner when he earned the Groza Award in 2020.
Mauigoa earned second-team All-ACC in 2023. Mauigoa was consistent for Miami throughout the 2023 season. In the first five games of 2023 Mauigoa recorded at least three tackles. In the final eight games for Miami in 2023 had at least five tackles. Mauigoa had at least six tackles in seven of the final eight games..
In all but two 2023 games Mauigoa had a tackle for loss. Mauigoa had his best 2023 game against Florida State with nine tackles, 2.5 TFLs and 2.0 sacks versus Florida State. Mauigoa finished the 2023 season with 21 tackles, 3.0 TFLs, 1.0 sack and 1.0 pass breakup versus Boston College and Rutgers.