Francis Mauigoa recently signed with the Miami Hurricanes. The 6-5.5 330 monster from IMG academy in Bradenton, Florida should be a rather obvious non-redshirt candidate. But what exactly will his role be in 2023? Mario Cristobal made no bones about it, he needed to prioritize the trenches. The statement was emphatically made with the specimen known as Mauigoa.

Mauigoa is a special athlete who has immense size, tenacity and is exceptionally quick. If a grizzly bear was wearing a track suit, be afraid. Be very afraid. The Pago Pago American Samoa native is very adept at getting to the second level and boasts an 81 inch wing span. You add that to his 4.5 short shuttle time and you have a freakish athlete on your hands.

“That is the sickest commitment video of all time.”

“His brother is bad ass too.”

But a further look at the Miami Hurricanes offensive line in 2023 shows a picture of youth mixed with some established depth. A potential starting rotation could be as follows:

1. Zion Nelson Left Tackle
2. Javion Cohen Left Guard
3. Jakai Clark Center
4. Anez Cooper Right Guard
5. Franics Mauigoa Right Tackle

The Miami Hurricanes have Laurence Seymore, Jonathan Denis, Jalen Rivers, Ousman Traore, Ryan Rodriguez, Logan Sagaplou, and Michael McLaughlin among others listed as scholarship players on the roster. Rivers could easily be penciled in as a starter and the Hurricanes are rumored to be targeting another center in the portal.

The Hurricanes also added fellow 2023 signees Samson Okunlola, Tommy Kinsler, Antonio Tripp and Frankie Tinilau along the offensive line. What makes things interesting however is fellow 5 orange prospect Okunlola. The Hurricanes would like to be in a position to take its time with young offensive linemen but in the era of the transfer portal, playing time matters more.

“I always wanted warriors from that side of the planet.”

“Warriors?”

How will Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal manage a much deeper, albeit younger, offensive line next season? One thing is for sure, this group is in drastic need of improvement. Miami was 10th in conference last year rushing the ball with 128.3 a game and 9th in the ACC with 36 sacks given up. 

Coach Mirabal was in danger of losing a few limbs last season after he emphatically declared he’d cut them off before having a bad offensive line at the University of Miami. Mauigoa is the prospect who easily can keep Mirabal’s limbs off the chopping block. The Pago Pago powerhouse is exactly what the doctor ordered to turn that group around.

There is absolutely no chance Mauigoa redshirts. His talent alone will allow him to factor this season. But he wasn’t the only five star prospect coming in and we might see another portal offensive lineman between now and next fall. This could be a rotational situation where the young cornerstones are allowed to develop as interchangeable cogs.

What is your five for the offensive line next season? Do you think there is a chance Mauigoa red shirts? Let us know over in Discord-U. The Miami Hurricanes offseason continues and we are primed and ready for another offseason championship. #BANG #STAYdanergous