Francis Mauigoa was one of the stars of the Miami Hurricanes’ run to the 2025 national championship final this season, helping provide a wall for quarterback Carson Beck to operate behind and giving Mark Fletcher Jr. plenty of real estate to run downfield.
His rise to the top of the college football scene was deeply rooted in his determination to earn a college degree that few people in his native American Samoa can afford.
Francis Mauigoa Chases His Dream While Hoping To Inspire Many in His Native Land
Born and raised in ‘Ili’ili, a coastal American Samoan village of about 3,000 people, Mauigoa recognizes that the opportunity he has been given is rare among his countrymen. That is why he strives to be a force for the Hurricanes and a bridge to the culture he has lived in since childhood.
He fondly remembers kids on the island aspiring to be football players, sharing mouthpieces, cutting slippers to make knee and thigh pads, and walking home barefoot. That reality is what he aims to overcome as he tries to inspire his big-bodied young compatriots to chase their dreams and play the sport.
“Coming from American Samoa, we don’t get as many opportunities as we get in the mainland,” he said. “One of those opportunities is continuing your education in college. This has been a blessing because without football, I don’t know if I’d be going to college. It wouldn’t be possible for me. I wouldn’t be here. That’s how bad we wanted to play.”
The decision to play for Miami meant sacrifices for the Mauigoa household. His parents, Fa’alialia and Telesia, moved from Hawaii to a house less than 10 minutes from Mauigoa’s dorm, even though they missed several perks of their island home in the South Pacific.
But the sacrifice was worth it for the family. Francis and his older brother, Francisco, played together in Miami, with Francisco transferring from Washington State. They suited up for Mario Cristobal’s Hurricanes as linebackers until 2025. Francisco was picked in the fifth round of the NFL draft by the New York Jets and played in 12 games, recording 45 tackles.
Francis and Francisco’s two older siblings also played football. Frank started the trail, playing football and volleyball in his youth before serving in the US Army. Frederick, meanwhile, became a center at Washington State. Their sister, Frantacia, was a volleyball player and an MVP during her senior year of high school. Their younger brother, Fidelis, plays basketball and football.
Francis Mauigoa was a five-star recruit from IMG Academy and continued his standout performance under Cristobal’s guidance. He played 42 games for the Hurricanes, earning numerous collegiate accolades, including the 2025 All-ACC First Team, the consensus 2025 All-America First Team, and the 2025 ACC Jacobs Blocking Trophy.
He and Francisco have also performed charity work at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida. They launched a Miami-themed merchandise campaign, with 100% of profits going to the institution. The service is deeply rooted in their Samoan heritage and reflects their intention to use their visibility to help others.
Francis’s efforts this past season have catapulted him into a projected first-round selection in most mock drafts. Some mock draft experts placed him as high as third overall, and his floor was a late Top 15 selection.
Mauigoa looks to continue the tradition set by other prominent American Samoan football players who came before him. He hopes to inspire the new generation by making it big in the NFL, beginning with this year’s draft combine on February 26-March 1.
