Francisco Mauigoa explains how playing QB helped him at LB

Francisco Mauigoa told the media at ACC Kickoff on Wednesday his experience playing quarterback in high school helped him as a linebacker in college. Per his Miami bio Mauigoa was 79-of-135 for 1,113 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for 475 yards and four touchdowns at Aquanis High School in San Bernardino, California as a junior.

Mauigoa added 46 tackles, five tackles for loss and one interception during his one seed at Aquanis before moving back to American Samoa. Mauigoa had a breakout sophomore season at Washington State with 60 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, one interception returned for a TD, one pass breakup, one fumble recovery and three forced fumbles.

Mauigoa improved during his first season with Miami, leading the Hurricanes with 82 tackles and adding 18 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, two FFs, four PBUs and another interception. The ACC named Mauigoa second-team All-Conference after the 2023 season. Mauigoa should challenge for first-team All-ACC.

If he continues improving his production, Mauigoa will have an opportunity to be in the conversation for ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2024. Media will vote on the All-Conferences teams, Offensive and Defensive players of the year and conference Player of the Year at ACC Kickoff this week.

"(I) Grew up playing quarterback...I love having the ball in my hands...Seeing the game...from a quarterback perspective has changed the game for me, just being able to feel what a quarterback will feel...That was very important for me as a linebacker because you know when a quarterback gets hit one time, two times, they...feel that.

When I was a quarterback, I felt the same way...Seeing the game at that perspective has been really important to transition my game at a high level."

- Miami linebacker Francisco Mauigoa

Mauigoa also spoke on Wednesday about the importance of wearing the number one jersey for Miami this season. Quarterback Cam Ward is wearing number one on offense. The veterans and former Washington State teammates are expected to be leaders of their units for Miami in 2024.

Mauigoa is one of the most experienced returning players for Miami. Fifth-year senior cornerback Darryl Porter Jr. is the only other Miami returning starter entering at least his fourth year of college. Cornerback Damari Brown and linebacker Wesley Bissainthe are the only other returning starters for Miami on defense.

Entering his second season as Miami's defensive coordinator, expect Lance Guidry to continue developing the Hurricanes' defense in 2024. Miami has added a lot of experienced transfers. Louisville transfer Jaylin Alderman, Bissainthe and Mauigoa give Miami an experienced LB corps with proven production.