Francis Mauigoa, Samson Okunlola reveal what makes them different on offensive line

As Miami continues through its spring football practice, the two twin pillars of the 2023 recruiting class, offensive line mates Francis Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola, have had a chance to get their feet under them.

Both have raved about their experience with the Hurricanes so far and their progress working toward early playing time.

The two were the star gets in Mario Cristobal‘s 2023 recruiting class, with Mauigoa ranked as the No. 12 player in the nation and Okunlola the No. 17 player in the nation. Both were five-star prospects.

They have some seriously standout qualities.

“What makes us different, I’d say just our flexibility and our speed and our athleticism,” Okunlola said. “Just being able to move as quick as we can move, how agile and flexible we are and also our brain. I’d say when it comes to thinking he thinks a little fast.”

Mauigoa was asked a similar question, about some of the differences in the game between the two five-star prospects, and he was pretty blunt in his answer.

But one thing that did stand out in his response? The two new Hurricanes are already working as if they’re seasoned veterans.

“I don’t really see anything different from us, but we tend to work out a lot and then we tend to come in here late like after class on Tuesdays and Thursdays to work on some more stuff,” Mauigoa said.

As you might expect, both players have some considerable goals for the upcoming season. When you’re a five-star prospect, you usually expect to make a difference right way.

Mauigoa and Okunlola hope to take it a step beyond that even.

“Me and Samson, there’s not really a big difference, we just tend to work,” Mauigoa said. “Just working, trying to get to the top. We have the same goal in our mind, is to become freshman All-American, all that stuff, make it out in three years. So I don’t see a very big difference from us.”

Based on recruiting rankings, both prospects will have a chance to accomplish those goals.

Mauigoa was ranked as a five-star prospect by all four major recruiting services. He was the No. 2 offensive tackle in the class and the No. 2 player in the state of Florida, hailing from Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy.

Okunlola, meanwhile, was rated as a five-star prospect by three of the four major recruiting services, with On3 being the lone exception. He was ranked as the No. 3 offensive tackle in the class and the No. 1 player in the state of Massachusetts, hailing from Brockton (Mass.) Thayer Academy.

With Francis Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola anchoring the class, Miami’s 2023 recruiting class finished ranked No. 6 nationally.