Francis Mauigoa signs with Miami in massive addition to class: “We’re going to win another natty, bring it back”

SIGNEES (with link to feature story on each): Francis Mauigoa … Damari Brown … Christopher Johnson … Antione Jackson … Collins Acheampong … Kaleb Spencer … Riley Williams … Samson Okunlola … Robby Washington … Bobby Washington … Rueben Bain … Mark Fletcher … Malik Bryant … Jackson Carver … Emory Williams … Antonio Tripp … Marcellius Pulliam … Jayden Wayne … Frankie Tinilau … Joshua Horton … Raul Aguirre … Robert Stafford … Tommy Kinsler … Ray Ray Joseph … Australian P Dylan Joyce

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One of the nation’s top-rated players regardless of position, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy OT Francis Mauigoa is a gem in this Miami recruiting class.

He committed to Miami July 4 over Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and USC, and today is confirmed signing his letter of intent with the Canes.

Mauigoa is an early enrollee and is looking to try and win a starting job right off the bat.

“If you don’t want to compete, you might as well pack your bags and get out of there,” he said. “I want to come in and set an example of what we’re going to start. I was thinking of bringing ‘The U’ back. That’s the main goal. I’m going to come in ready to compete. I’m going to give it my all. I want all my teammates to give it their all, so I’m going to give 100%.”

During the course of his recruitment Mauigoa built a strong relationship with coaches Mario Cristobal and Alex Mirabal … dating back to when they recruited him to Oregon.

“I’ve been talking to this coaching staff for like a while, way back,” Mauigoa said. “We have a strong bond.”

He adds of the Canes offensive line coach that “Coach Mirabal is a dog. Just looking at a little guy controlling big men, it’s kind of crazy. He coaches a lot of great techniques, and even when I was not committed, he tended to still help me with everything. None of the other colleges did that to me. Since I was not committed, he still treated me like one of his, so that’s what I like about him.”

Mauigoa also has a tie to Miami DL coach Joe Salave’a – both are from American Samoa.

“(Salave’a) was a big factor,” Mauigoa said. “Going to a school that has someone who is familiar with your background, knows your standards and how high they are. For a kid from the island, our standards are high, we can’t miss. We have families back there (America Samoa) that are suffering from poverty and stuff… we can’t really mess up.”

What have the Canes landed here?

IMG coach Billy Miller says that “Francis is unbelievable. He loves the game of football, is really athletic, and can bend. He’s going to be a big-time contributor early in his career. I think his drive and the motivation to give back to his community back home is really setting him up for longevity. … What we see from him at left tackle is his pad level is always winning, he’s a great bender, very athletic. Can I see him as a pulling guard at the next level? Absolutely. He’s a tremendous athlete.

“He does everything well from being a leader on and off the field, is everything you expect from a player his caliber. He’s real humble and hungry, is the first guy to everything whether meetings or classes. He’s always leading by example. For him to do that at this level with the notoriety we have, everyone looks up to Sisi (his nickname) he has the pulse of the team.”

Mauigoa’s On3 scouting report reads “Wide-bodied, nimble mover who is excelling in his first season as a full-time offensive lineman. Works at right tackle for IMG, but likely projects on the interior due to his arm length and build. Played very well against a national schedule and some top pass rushers as a junior. Uses his natural strength to create a big push in the run game. Plays with a wide base and has considerable pop in his hands. Has mauling qualities as a drive blocker and is athletic enough to get to the second level with ease. Though he doesn’t project as an offensive tackle long-term, showed some very encouraging skills in pass protection.”

The comparison from On3? It’s to Penei Sewell (“Francis Mauigoa’s nimble athleticism and physical play style reminds us of Penei Sewell. Both are strong functional movers despite their weights at over 320 pounds. They excel as run blockers while also having the feet and coordination to succeed in pass protection as offensive tackles. Mauigoa tests as a better athlete than Sewell at the same stage.”)

Sewell, of course, was the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions out of Oregon.

So not a bad comparison for this future Miami Hurricane.

The bottom line message from Mauigoa?

“We’re going to win another natty, bring it back,” he says.