July Miami Hurricanes Player Performance Index top 30 deep dive: No. 5 LB Francisco Mauigoa

CaneSport is breaking down the top 30 Miami players on the roster based on projected production, and today we’re at No. 5, Francisco Mauigoa .

THE BIG PICTURE

Mauigoa was an All-ACC second team selection in his first season at Miami after transferring in from Washington State – he wound up the Canes’ leading tackler with 82, adding a team-high 18 TFL and 7.5 sacks, which tied Rueben Bain for the team lead. He’s an outstanding playmaker in the middle of the D who should be even better with another off-season under his belt and a full grasp of Lance Guidry’s defense. He’ll team with returning WILL starter Wesley Bissainthe and Louisville starting transfer Jaylin Alderman as the likely main three guys, with inexperienced depth behind them.

JULY PLAYER PERFORMANCE INDEX: No. 30 Elijah Alston , No. 29 Josh Horton , No. 28 Raul Aguirre … No. 27 D’yoni Hill … No. 26 Samson Okunlola … No. 25 Jaden Harris … No. 24 Markeith Williams … No. 23 Akheem Mesidor … No. 22 Jaylin Alderman … No. 21 Damari Brown … No. 20 Wesley Bissainthe … No. 19 Simeon Barrow/CJ Clark … No. 18. Elijah Arroyo … No. 17. Sam Brown … No. 16 Elija Lofton … No. 15 Zach Carpenter … No. 14 Tyler Baron … No. 13 Mishael Powell … No. 12 Dylan Joyce … No. 11 Francis Mauigoa … No. 10 Daryl Porter, Jr. … No. 9 Anez Cooper … No. 8 Jacolby George … No. 7 Andy Borregales … No. 6 Jalen Rivers

THE ANALYSIS

Mauigoa is an outstanding talent in the middle of the Canes’ defense, joining Rueben Bain as probably the two best overall players on this side of the ball. While Mauigoa missed the spring off injury, he’ll be back full go this fall and should be one of the ACC’s most dangerous linebackers. Last year, per Pro Football Focus, he had 15 QB hurries, 10 missed tackles and when targeted in coverage he allowed 19 of 33 completions for 186 yards. PFF gave him a solid 71.5 percent overall grade (78.1 run defense, 58.1 percent cover grade). Prior to Miami? He had 60 tackles, 5.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks as a starter his final year at Washington State in 2022, also forcing three fumbles (tied for the Pac-12 lead) with an interception. As a freshman in 2021 he started twice and had 17 tackles. Per PFF in 457 reps in 2022 he graded out at a solid 75.7 percent (70 is considered good). He had a 74.1 run defense grade and 76.3 cover grade. He also was noted by PFF with five QB hurries and nine missed tackles that year. Mauigoa only played 58 reps in 2021 as a freshman. In his second year in Guidry’s 4-2-5 system, Mauigoa should be even more effective.

THE PROJECTION

Mauigoa is one of those guys that recognizes plays quickly and reacts even faster, and he could be able to close in on the 100-tackle mark in Guidry’s aggressive style of defense. He’s solid against the run and is good enough in coverage, making him a versatile piece. He’s also described as a coach on the field, which will help those around him play at a higher level. Mauigoa’s in line for a big season and should push for first team All-ACC honors. We expect him to lead Miami in tackles, and perhaps tackles for losses as well.

THE JUMP HE NEEDS FROM SPRING TO FALL CAMP

We didn’t see Mauigoa in the spring as he was coming off injury, so it will be interesting to see what kind of strides he’s made physically when fall camp kicks off. We expect he may have bulked up a bit and could be even quicker, and he’s got an NFL future. We expect an outstanding season from him, and it would help if he hits the ground playing at 100 percent this fall.

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