Miami Hurricanes LB Francisco Mauigoa talks upcoming season opener and more: “This defense is very physical and very aggressive”

The 2024 season opener is rapidly approaching, and excitement is building down in Coral Gables as the Miami Hurricanes are set to kick off the year against their bitter in-state rivals, the Florida Gators.

With a chance to start the season off with a marquee victory, Miami senior linebacker Francisco Mauigoa believes the Canes will be more than ready come August 31 in Gainesville.

“I’m pretty excited,” Mauigoa said. “The whole team is pretty excited and getting in extra work watching film and everything on the opposing team. It’s just been creating exciting emotions going into the season.”

After being unable to fully participate in football activities this past spring due to a shoulder injury, Mauigoa, who earned second-team All-ACC recognitions after starting all 13 games for Miami in 2023, is back at full health and ready to compete.

“Shoutout to all the trainers,” Mauigoa said. “They’ve been on me, trying to get me better. Right now I’m fully back, and I’ll be participating in fall camp, and I’ll be ready to go.”

This season, Mauigoa will be wearing No. 1 for the Hurricanes, which will be the first time a defender has done so in the Mario Cristobal era in Miami. What started out as a joke led to the veteran linebacker wearing the coveted number.

“It’s an honor to get No. 1, and honestly, it was a funny process,” Mauigoa said. “I said it in a joking manner, and it just clicked. I’m blessed to be able to rock No. 1 and be the first player to wear it in the Cristobal era.”

Although Mauigoa’s jersey number may have changed, his fast and physical playing style will remain the same. Under second-year defensive coordinator Lance Guidry, Mauigoa, who led the team with 82 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks last season, is extremely confident in the unit.

“This defense is awesome,” Mauigoa said. “Being able to be under a guy like Coach Guidry is just amazing. He just teaches in a different way and is very detailed and specific. He always has adjustments for us. Coming back to play another year with coach Guidry, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

With some new additions and a handful of returners on the defense and linebacker room, Mauigoa believes new leaders and impact players in the group will emerge and make a name for themselves throughout the year.

“I’m excited to play along with everyone,” Mauigoa said. “Bobby Washington, Wesley Bissainthe, Jaylin (Alderman), Popo (Aguirre), all those guys are ready to play. I’m excited to see what the guys are going to bring to the field. These guys are great leaders, and we love to compete against each other overall.”

Expectations and energy are ramping up in Miami and Mauigoa, and the rest of the Canes’ defense is ready to put their talents on full display.

“This defense is very physical and very aggressive,” Mauigoa said. “You can expect a lot of dominance. These guys are engrained with dominance and going 100% every single play. We’re never going to let down and chase after the ball.”

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