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The No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2023 recruit class created an Independence Day boom Monday afternoon when Francis Mauigoa announced his commitment to Miami live on CBS Sports HQ. Mauigoa is a five-star contender and #9 overall in class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
Measuring 6ft 5 and 330 pounds, the Samoan-American also eyed Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, USC and Hawaii. He attended all five of his finalists in June after receiving MaxPreps Junior All-American Honors at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. during his 2021 high school season. Ultimately, the Hurricanes won the coveted quarterback protector.
“I’m very close to the Miami staff because I was close to them when they were in Oregon,” Mauigoa told 247Sports. “I developed a great relationship with coach Cristobal and coach Mirabal (OL coach) and talked to them all the time. All the staff recruited me hard, although it wasn’t just them. I feel like someone is dating the staff would turn to me every day and I also feel really comfortable at the school.”
With Mauigoa’s dedication, Miami’s recruiting class jumped seven spots nationally to 8th in the 247Sports team rankings. Given his high rank and family track record at the Power Five level, Mauigoa has the makings of an early contributor at the next level. His brother, Frederick Mauigoa, played at Washington State Center from 2016 to 2019, starting his final three seasons. Another brother, Francisco Mauigoa, will be a second linebacker for the Cougars this season after making 17 tackles as a true freshman last season.
After playing in California and American Samoa early in his high school career, Mauigoa joined IMG Academy and played as a junior right tackle while teaming with Class of 2022 four-star tackle Tyler Booker, of left Played tackle and signed with Alabama.
Here’s the full review of Francis Mauigoa’s game from 247Sports Southeast Recruiting Analyst Andrew Ivins:
A massive lineman from American Samoa who moves differently than most people his size. At one point, he considered himself more of a pass rusher by trade, but has begun to embrace the idea of protecting quarterbacks for a living rather than trying to fire them. Tested in the upper percentile for someone pushing 6-foot-5, 330 pounds when he hit 5.3 on the Lasers in the 40-yard dash and added 4.7 in the short shuttle the spring before his junior year. A tyrant of sorts who uses his raw power to easily overwhelm defenders. Best when he can just fire and block from his stance while using a wide base to build leverage. Nobody giving up a play and trying to find extra work. Can gain depth with his kick and win with a powerful punch but needs to improve as a pass blocker, especially when asked to protect the corner on Saturdays. Spent much of the junior season at IMG Academy working on proper tackle. However, a lack of true length in the top half suggests his future could ultimately lie on the inside, which works given his ability to pull a wannabe tackler onto his back. Should be viewed as a potential perennial starter on offense for a Power 5 program, like his brother, who started over 30 games at the center for Washington State and was named to the Rimington Awards watchlist. He’ll likely need some time to settle in and needs to develop technically, but fluid movement patterns and a quick-witted playstyle in the phone booth could see him picked early for the NFL Draft.
When Mauigoa was a sophomore in high school, he was rated a two-way player and considered more dominant on defense. But given his elite position, which is classified as an offensive tackle, it seems his permanent position home will be a quarterback protector.
