Miami Hurricanes LB Francisco Mauigoa named among spring football standouts
With the majority of FBS program’s spring football schedules behind them, On3’s Matt Zenitz took a look at some of the top defensive spring practice standouts, and Miami Hurricane linebacker Francisco Mauigoa was listed among his 15 best performers.
After an exceptional showing in the Hurricanes spring game, where he showed off his speed and anticipation from the linebacker position, highlighted by a huge tackle for loss in the backfield on the first drive of the game, the 6-foot-3, 230-pounder has already begun to turn heads across the country.
“It was an amazing experience, got to see a lot of guys perform on the big stage,” Mauigoa said following the Hurricanes spring game. “Coaches have prepared us really well, and I think we’re going on the right path.”
The older brother of Hurricanes 2023 signee and early enrollee, five-star offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa, has settled in well in his new home after transferring to Miami 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.
“My brother coming here was a little bit of a factor to it,” Francisco said. “I had a visit here, just being here I felt I belonged here. I fit in.”
Throughout the spring, Mauigoa has impressed since he arrived in Coral Gables and is in contention for a starting linebacker spot under new Miami defensive coordinator Lance Guidry and linebackers coach Derek Nicholson, along with fellow ‘Canes Wesley Bissainthe and Corey Flagg, among others.
“Francisco is very, very consistent,” Nicholson said. “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.”
Zenitz’s breakdown of Mauigoa’s spring performance
Five-star freshman offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa isn’t the only member of the Mauigoa family garnering strong feedback at Miami. So is his older brother, Francisco. Both are in position to be starters for the Hurricanes this season. Francisco was a starting linebacker at Washington State last year before transferring to Miami. “He’s just overall a really good player,” a source said. “High motor kid. Natural pass-rushing skills. And he’s more athletic than I think people would give him credit for.”
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