July Player Performance Index top 30 deep dive: No. 9 LB Francisco Mauigoa

CaneSport is breaking down the top 30 Miami players on the roster, and today we’re at No. 9, LB Francisco Mauigoa.

THE BIG PICTURE

At 6-foot-3, Francisco Mauigoa has four inches on returning MLB starter Corey Flagg … including more range and just as much athleticism. It’s why Mauigoa was brought on board from Washington State, since Miami wanted more from the position despite Flagg being a multi-year starter. Mauigoa didn’t disappoint this spring in our first time laying eyes on him as a Hurricane – he flew all over the field and was disruptive in the Spring Game. His play is what Lance Guidry wants – a linebacker who is strong enough to hold up vs. the run but also quick enough to get to the QB/make TFLs on blitzes. So go ahead and pencil him in as a starter in the middle, there really should be no concerns about how he will perform based on what we’ve seen and also how he performed previously at Washington State as a solid first-time starter this past season.

THE ANALYSIS

Mauigoa is a physical playmaker with sideline to sideline speed and looks like a perfect fit for what Lance Guidry wants to do in an attacking style of defense. The background of the 6-3, 230-pounder: A former 3-star prospect in the Class of 2021 out of American Samoa, Mauigoa has two years of eligibility remaining and had 60 tackles, 5.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks this past season as a starter at Washington State, also forcing three fumbles (tied for the Pac-12 lead) with an interception. That interception was, interestingly enough, against Mario Cristobal’s former team – he took it back 95 yards for a TD against Oregon Sept. 24. As a freshman in 2021 he started twice and had 17 tackles. His Pro Football Focus grades? In 457 reps last season he graded out at a solid 75.7 percent (70 is considered good). He had a 74.1 run defense grade, 69.9 tackle grade, 64.6 pass rush grade and 76.3 cover grade. So all around pretty solid. He also was noted by PFF with five QB hurries and nine missed tackles. Mauigoa only played 58 reps in 2021 as a freshman.

THE PROJECTION

It’s been a while since a Miami linebacker passed 60 tackles in a season – the last was Shaq Quarterman in 2019. We expect Mauigoa to get there as a starter – 70+ tackles and double-digit TFLs seem in the cards for him roaming in the middle of the Guidry D. This was a great transfer portal addition by Mario Cristobal & Co., and of course his brother is 5-star OL Francis Mauigoa. So both sides of the ball will get a boost from these new faces on the team.

THE JUMP HE NEEDS FROM SPRING TO FALL CAMP

Really the only thing Mauigoa needs to do is keep honing his understanding of the Lance Guidry D and showing he got bigger, faster and stronger from the off-season program at Miami. Mauigoa’s length and physicality is an aspect Miami desperately needed at the linebacker position. A question, though, is if Mauigoa’s a guy who can really be a difference-maker in games at the Miami level of opponent. He was good enough at Washington State but wasn’t a true star. And the Canes need to have a star making plays in the middle of this defense. So game-changing plays need to be in the cards for him. He also will need to help bring along the OLB starter, likely Wesley Bissainthe but with Flagg and Louisville transfer KJ Cloyd also hoping to have a say.

THE QUOTE

“Francisco is very, very consistent. He’s very instinctive, has very good awareness. Really good football player, active, athletic. He does a lot of good things. It’s hard to find a lot of weakness. Really good football player, better person. Excited to coach him, teach him, mentor him. He’ll have a great year.” –LB coach Derek Nicholson

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