TribLive is highlighting the top prospects leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. The three-day event is April 23-25.
Francis Mauigoa
Position: Offensive tackle
Height/weight: 6-foot-5½/329 pounds
College: Miami (Fla.)
Most draft analysts consider Mauigoa to be the top tackle in this year’s class.
Known by his nickname “Sisi,” Mauigoa has anchored Miami’s offensive line for three seasons. The 20-year-old junior started 42 games at right tackle, never missing a start. The consensus All-American helped the Hurricanes reach the 2025 CFP national championship.
Likely an immediate starter in the NFL, analysts project him to stand out quickly as a run blocker and develop into a solid pass blocker over time.
Mauigoa had an efficiency rate of 98.4% as a pass blocker last season, according to PFF stats. He allowed 15 total pressures and two sacks on 557 passing snaps. The Hurricanes ranked fifth nationally for fewest tackles for loss allowed per game (3.63).
Mauigoa played 1,034 total snaps and was penalized seven times.
Draft analyst Lance Zierlein described Mauigoa in his NFL.com bio as “highly experienced with an impressive football IQ that pops on tape.” Zierlein said Mauigoa has the “broad build” of a guard but “moves like a tackle in pass sets.”
His hometown is Ili’ili, American Samoa.
Key stat
8 — Career sacks allowed by Mauigoa on 1,417 pass blocking snaps over three seasons. Five of the eight came in his freshman year.
Did you know?
Mauigoa’s brother, Kiko Mauigoa, was a rookie linebacker last season drafted in the fifth round by the New York Jets.
On draft
Here is a look at where the top NFL Draft analysts rank Mauigoa among players at his position and prospects overall:
Draft expert — OTs/Overall
Mel Kiper Jr. — first/10th
Daniel Jeremiah — first/10th
Todd McShay — first/10th
Field Yates — first/eighth
Quotable
“He is such a good player. He’s been my top tackle in this class from wire to wire. I know there was some (moving to) guard talk for a while. I think he put that to rest.”
— ESPN analyst Matt Miller