Ex-Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa is preparing for next month's NFL Draft
Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa was one of the top college football players last season.
In addition to his size and talent, analyst Brian Baldinger of the NFL Network thinks Mauigoa has an even bigger edge over the rest entering next month's draft. Baldinger said he knows `Canes coach Mario Cristobal has already prepared Mauigoa for the next level.
"I've been around Miami's program and really what Mario Cristobal is doing, nobody runs a tougher program," Baldinger said. "It looks like an NFL practice in the `80s, the way he practices and trains them in the spring."
The 6-foot-6, 330-pound Mauigoa was one of the key cogs that helped the Hurricanes reach the College Football Playoff title game, losing to the Indiana Hoosiers. Baldinger said the presence of Cristobal and facing first-round picks Reuben Bain Jr., and Akheem Mesidor at practice should only help Mauigoa
"I just know that Mauigoa is an elite prospect that has been trained," Baldinger said. "Mario is basically an offensive line coach. That's what he works with every day. He's been trained by a great coach, (faced) elite talent every day in practice. You got two guys going in the first round that you see every day."
Mauigoa spoke about that challenge during his interview at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
"Every day we're going head to head, like coach (Mario) Cristobal said in one of his interviews, it's like 'Jurassic Park,'" Mauigoa said. "...It's not like trash talk, but it's like talking like, 'Hey, man, you're not doing what you're supposed to be doing,' stuff like that. And it helps us be who we are."
Whoever drafts Mauigoa has to decide whether to play him at guard or tackle. He's ready for whatever challenge ahead.
"They (NFL teams) all talk to me about, like, how do I feel if I move on to guard," Maugioa said. "I asked (offensive line) coach (Alex) Mirabal if I can get some reps at guard. I mean, I already know I'm gonna play right tackle over there (Miami), but for the next level, I'm not sure. If they want me at whatever position, I'm gonna do it. It's five positions, I'll make sure I take one of them."
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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of MiamiRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com