Miami Hurricanes OT Francis Mauigoa working to improve all areas of his game: “I can’t perfect anything, but I can improve in everything”

Coming off a breakout freshman campaign, second-year Miami Hurricane offensive tackle F rancis Mauigoa is more than ready to get things going this fall.

“We’re eager to get in pads again,” Mauigoa said. “We’re just working hard and have been working hard. I actually just came back from the sandpits with all of our offensive linemen. We’re just grinding, and we want it bad.”

Since the conclusion of the Hurricanes 2023 season, the 6-foot-6, 315-pounder has been focused on improving a handful of areas of his game as well as getting his body back to full strength after being sidelined by a shoulder injury this spring.

“I’ve been working on everything,” Mauigoa said. “I can’t perfect anything, but I can improve in everything. I try my best to improve my pass game, run block, and every aspect of the game.”

As a true freshman, Mauigoa earned 2023 All-ACC honorable mentions honors as well as being named a Freshman All-American by several media outlets.

Coming into his first year at Miami, the former five-star prospect had lofty expectations, and he lived up to them, starting all 13 games for the Hurricanes at right tackle last season.

“I wanted it bad,” Mauigoa said. “Coming into my freshman year, it was either I played or I didn’t. It’s either I compete with everyone or not. I made that decision early in my career to compete with everyone. Even today, we’re still competing for starting spots, and we’re happy to compete with each other.”

This year the Hurricanes will have a new gunslinger under center, with former Washington State quarterback Cam Ward leading Miami’s offensive attack. Thus far, Mauigoa has been extremely impressed with not only Ward’s game on the field but his leadership abilities as well.

“He’s very good,” Maugioa said. “He’s excellent, and he’s a good quarterback. He’s very vocal and a very good leader. He encourages us, he motivates us throughout every practice to push ourselves, and he’s not one of those types of guys that will be Hollywood whatsoever. He even feeds us. He takes us out, gets us some lunch, or whatever, which builds a bond and that relationship with the quarterback.”

Along with Mauigoa, the Hurricanes return starting offensive linemen Jalen Rivers and Anez Cooper from last year’s unit. Miami also added former Indiana center Zach Carpenter, who is slotted to start at center for the Canes this year.

“Our offensive line has been very tight,” Mauigoa said. “In my first two years over here, nothing has changed, and it’s very tight. Our offensive line has a very good bond, and it’s all because of our coaching staff. They make us bond, and they put it together for us.”

So what should Miami fans expect from the Hurricanes this season, according to Mauigoa?

“We’re going to the playoffs,” Mauigoa said. “And we’re going to compete for that championship game.”

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