Francis Mauigoa, nation's No. 1 offensive tackle, commits to Miami Hurricanes over Tennessee, others
In the modern world of college football recruiting, it's rare that a prospect can keep his decision a complete secret.
But Monday's announcement from IMG Academy (Florida) star Francis Mauigoa, the nation's No.1 offensive tackle, was shrouded in mystery to the very end.
In the end, the 6-foot-5, 330-pound offensive tackle chose Miami over fellow finalists Alabama, Florida, Hawaii, Tennessee and USC:
Mauigoa took official visit to all of his finalists except Hawaii in the month of June, then kept things quiet on the recruiting front.
During the lead-up to his decision much of the discussion centered on whether he would choose Tennessee or Miami.
In the end, Mario Cristobal earned the recruiting victory.
According to 247Sports, Mauigoa projects as a future NFL first-round draft pick:
"A massive lineman out of American Samoa that moves different than most people his size. At one point considered himself more of a pass rusher by trade, but has started to embrace the idea of protecting quarterbacks for a living instead of trying to sack them. Tested in the upper percentile for someone that’s pushing 6-foot-5, 330 pounds as he went 5.3 on the lasers in the 40-yard dash and added a 4.7 in the short shuttle the spring before his junior year. A bully of sorts that uses his raw power to simply overwhelm defenders. At his best when he can just fire out of his stance and drive block as he uses a wide base to establish leverage. Not one to give up on a play and will try to find extra work. Can gain depth with his kick step and win with a strong punch, but must improve as a pass blocker, especially if he’s going to be asked to protect the corner on Saturdays. Spent much of junior season at IMG Academy working at right tackle. A lack of true length in the upper half, however, suggests that his future might ultimately be on the inside, which works given his ability to pull and put a would-be tackler on his back. Should be viewed as a potential multi-year starter on the offensive line for a Power 5 program like his brother, who started over 30 games at center for Washington State and was named to the Rimington Award watch list. Will likely need some time to find his bearings, and must keep progressing from a technical standpoint, but fluid movement patterns and smash-mouth play style in the phone booth could have him eventually being selected early on in the NFL Draft."
Miami has added five commitments since June 26, all of whom make up the top five pledges in its recruiting class - Mauigoa (No. 9 nationally), California quarterback Jaden Rashada (No. 29), Florida tight end Riley Williams (No. 66), Florida wide receiver Nathaniel Joseph (No. 105) and Florida athlete Robert Stafford (No. 163).
Junior season highlights
