Miami Hurricanes offensive line standouts Anez Cooper and Francis Mauigoa have been named to the 2025 Outland Trophy preseason watch list — an honor bestowed on the country’s elite interior linemen by the Football Writers Association of America.
Cooper, a 6‑foot‑6, 345‑pound senior guard, started all 13 games in 2024 and helped anchor the line that powered Miami’s offense to leading figures in both scoring (43.9 points per game) and total yardage (537.2 yards per game). He earned All‑ACC honorable mention honors and was a key component of an offensive front that was placed on the Joe Moore Award Honor Roll midseason.
Mauigoa, a 6‑foot‑6, 335‑pound junior tackle, started every game at right tackle, posted Second‑team All‑ACC honors, and was a Freshman All‑America selection in 2023. He played a leading role in seven 500‑yard team performances last season, marking just the eighth time an FBS team has hit double-digit such games in a regular season over the past decade.
The Hurricanes now boast five players on major national award watch lists: Cooper and Mauigoa for the Outland Trophy, quarterback Carson Beck on the Maxwell Award list, linebacker Wesley Bissainthe to the Butkus Award list and defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy list. Former Outland winners from Miami include Russell Maryland (1990) and Bryant McKinnie (2001).
Pro Football Focus ranks Miami’s offensive line among the nation’s top 10, highlighting Mauigoa as the No. 2 offensive tackle in the country. Mauigoa was the only FBS tackle in 2024 who allowed two or fewer sacks or hits on over 500 pass-blocking snaps. Cooper also stood out with consistently solid pass-blocking grades.
As the season progresses, the FWAA will narrow the list to semifinalists on November 19 and finalists on November 25. The Outland Trophy winner is announced live on ESPN during The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 12, with the official presentation set for January 21, 2026 in Omaha.