Mock drafters are already penciling in OT Francis Mauigoa as a first rounder in the 2026 Draft. He met with reporters to discuss his progression and more:
On how the offensive line has progressed through the first days of spring practice:
“The o-line is good every year. I mean, behind [offensive line coach and assistant head coach Alex Mirabal], there’s a standard and we reach the standard. We try to keep those standards every year.”
On what it means to now be one of the veterans on the offensive line:
“I mean, being a veteran is awesome. You know what’s coming. But also, having the younger guys, the young guys we’ve got over here, they want to work. And that’s why I’m so glad for this group, because everybody’s trying to work, everybody’s trying to earn their spots on the first team. So, they’re [coming] for my job and that’s pushed me to keep my job.”
On how he’s seen his game grow in his two seasons at Miami:
“I mean, overall, everything. I mean, I’ve been grinding. I’ve been working. … Nobody can [really] perfect their game, but if you can improve every day, I mean, that’s more than enough for me. So, run game, pass game, everywhere, getting off the stance, everything.”
On the defensive line:
“The d-line this year, I mean, they’re pretty good. With the new DC [Corey Hetherman] and still with [defensive line coach Jason Taylor]. He taught the younger guys a lot of things and he’s pointing out my weaknesses, so I need to work on that. He’s working for them, but I’m hearing what they’re saying and I’m trying to implement that into my game as well. But even the younger guys on the defense, they’re all over the ball. They’re chasing the ball and we’re trying to stop them from chasing the ball. So, we get after it every practice.”
On how the offensive line has progressed through the first days of spring practice:
“The o-line is good every year. I mean, behind [offensive line coach and assistant head coach Alex Mirabal], there’s a standard and we reach the standard. We try to keep those standards every year.”
On what it means to now be one of the veterans on the offensive line:
“I mean, being a veteran is awesome. You know what’s coming. But also, having the younger guys, the young guys we’ve got over here, they want to work. And that’s why I’m so glad for this group, because everybody’s trying to work, everybody’s trying to earn their spots on the first team. So, they’re [coming] for my job and that’s pushed me to keep my job.”
On how he’s seen his game grow in his two seasons at Miami:
“I mean, overall, everything. I mean, I’ve been grinding. I’ve been working. … Nobody can [really] perfect their game, but if you can improve every day, I mean, that’s more than enough for me. So, run game, pass game, everywhere, getting off the stance, everything.”
On the defensive line:
“The d-line this year, I mean, they’re pretty good. With the new DC [Corey Hetherman] and still with [defensive line coach Jason Taylor]. He taught the younger guys a lot of things and he’s pointing out my weaknesses, so I need to work on that. He’s working for them, but I’m hearing what they’re saying and I’m trying to implement that into my game as well. But even the younger guys on the defense, they’re all over the ball. They’re chasing the ball and we’re trying to stop them from chasing the ball. So, we get after it every practice.”
