Miami Hurricanes LB Francisco Mauigoa battling to start, sees a run defense that is fixing its mistakes

The smaller Mauigoa brother at 6-3 and 230 pounds compared to the freshman Francis at 6-6 and 315, Francisco joins his 5-star sibling on this Miami team and both will have a big impact with the expectation they’ll start (Francisco at MLB, Francis at right tackle).

Francisco, though, will have to hold off a charge from returning Miami starter Corey Flagg, who was slowed in the spring by a foot injury and has impressed coaches so far this fall.

“We are just trying to get each other better,” Mauigoa says. “This is a really talented group, we have a lot of competitors. Each guy has their own unique skillset. Coach DNich (LB coach Derek Nicholson) is just putting us in a good spot to feel comfortable and play better. The competition is up there.”

Mauigoa does have four inches on Flagg, and just as much athleticism. It’s why Mauigoa was brought on board from Washington State, where he had 60 tackles, 5.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks this past season as a starter, 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.

A former 3-star prospect in the Class of 2021 out of American Samoa, he has two years of eligibility remaining.

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 Pac-12 was good competition, great teams,” Mauigoa said.

As for how Mauigoa is adapting to Lance Guidry’s new defense at Miami?

“We run the same terminology, making it easy for me to understand – basically the same defense (as at Washington State), just different ways of running it,” Mauigoa said. “I’m comfortable with the defense.”

*Asked about LB KJ Cloyd, Mauigoa described him as “consistent” and “very physical.”

“He’s been rushing very good, is very flexible, can bend and get under blocks,” Mauigoa said.

*Mauigoa echoed what other linebackers have said about one freshman linebacker in particular that has stood out: Raul Aguirre.

“He’s smart and very instinctive,” Mauigoa said. “Very aggressive, too.”

*Mauigoa said there have been “some mistakes” in the run defense in practices but that overall he thinks the front is doing a good job in that area.

Mauigoa says it’s a case of needing more “mental reps.”

On Saturday in particular there were issues with the run defense, and in Monday’s practice Mauigoa said he didn’t see as many mistakes.

“When we make those mistakes the offense is going to take advantage of us,” Mauigoa said. “We don’t win all of the reps, don’t lose all the reps. It’s down to competition. … We know what’s wrong and we’re going to fix it.”

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