Where Miami football 2023 five-star signees ranked during freshmen year
Miami football Freshmen offensive tackles Francis Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola were profiled by Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus in his article "College Football: How every five-star recruit in the 2023 class graded this season."
Mauigoa was the 13th-ranked signee in the 2023 class and Okunlola 17th per the On3 industry ratings used by Chadwick and Pro Football Focus. Mauigoa and Okunlola project to eventually be bookend tackles for Miami. The 2023 signees starting together is probably another year away.
Mauigoa made an immediate impact as a freshman. After starting all 13 games at right tackle, Mauigoa was named honorable mention All-ACC and a True Freshmen All-American by at least 247Sports and PFF. Mauigoa never allowed multiple sacks in the same game and his 68.2 grade from PFF led all freshmen offensive linemen.
The 800 snaps Mauigoa played in 2023 led all freshmen nationally. Per On3, Mauigoa allowed 24 pressures and five sacks this season. David Lake of Inside the U reported that Mauigoa was called for ten during the 2023 season. Mauigoa was part of a significantly improved 2023 Miami OL.
Miami OT Francis Mauigoa in the Pinstripe Bowl:
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 29, 2023
🙌 41 Pass Block Snaps
🙌 Zero Pressures Allowed
🙌 82.7 Pass Block Grade pic.twitter.com/ChhQtwEaxJ
"12. OT FRANCIS MAUIGOA, MIAMI (FL) HURRICANES
- Max Chadwick, Pro Football Focus
2023 Grade: 70.1 (866 snaps)
Mauigoa started all 13 games for the Hurricanes at right tackle this season. His 70.7 PFF run-blocking grade ranked third among ACC tackles. He also closed the year out strong, not allowing any pressures across 77 pass-blocking snaps in the final two games of the s"
Mauigoa was the second-ranked OT in the 2023 class. Kadyn Proctor of Alabama, the top 2023 OT, played 679 offensive snaps and allowed 32 QB pressures and ten sacks. Mauigoa and Proctor are projected as 2026 NFL first-round picks per the NFL Mock Draft Database.
"17. OT SAMSON OKUNLOLA, MIAMI (FL) HURRICANES
- Max Chadwick ,Pro Football Focus
2023 Grade: 74.5 (32 snaps)
Okunlola saw action in just three games this year as a backup left tackle for the Hurricanes. He didn’t allow a pressure across his 10 pass-blocking snaps while also earning a 71.7 PFF run-blocking grade. With both Jalen Rivers and Francis Mauigoa returning in 2024, it’s unlikely Okunlola will assume a starting tackle spot next season."
Okunlola debuted in the season opener versus Miami (Ohio) and played versus Bethune-Cookman and Temple before suffering a season-ending injury. The 30 snaps Okunlola played in 2023 were the least among the top 2023 recruits who received any playing time.
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Expect Okunlola to be part of the rotation in 2024. Left tackle Jalen Rivers and Mauigoa return as starters in 2024. Rivers could be moved to guard and Okunlola left tackle to get the five best OL on the field. With Mauigoa and Okunlola on the Miami OL, the Hurricanes should have significantly more talent up front in the next two years.