Francis Mauigoa Wins 2025 Jacobs Blocking Trophy, Cementing His Place Among ACC’s Elite
Francis Mauigoa has officially joined rare company in Coral Gables. The Miami right tackle was named the 2025 recipient of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, awarded annually to the top blocker in the ACC. It’s a prestigious honor, and Mauigoa becomes just the second Hurricane ever to receive it - the first since Eric Winston took it home during Miami’s inaugural ACC season back in 2004.
This isn’t just a pat on the back. The Jacobs Trophy is voted on by ACC head coaches and defensive coordinators - the folks who game plan against these linemen every week.
So when they single out a player as the best blocker in the league, it carries serious weight. And in Mauigoa’s case, it’s a nod to three years of consistency, dominance, and growth in the trenches.
A Rock on the Right Side
Since arriving in Miami, Mauigoa has been a fixture on the offensive line. He’s started all 38 games over the past three seasons - a rare feat in today’s college football landscape, where injuries and transfers often shuffle lineups weekly. But Mauigoa hasn’t just been available - he’s been elite.
Let’s talk numbers. According to Pro Football Focus, Mauigoa ranks sixth nationally among all offensive tackles with an overall grade of 85.9.
That’s not just solid - that’s top-tier production in a conference loaded with NFL-caliber talent. Even more impressive?
His pass-blocking grade sits at 88.8, which ranks third in the country. He’s allowed just five pressures and two sacks all season, and at one point, he strung together a streak of seven straight games without surrendering a single sack.
That’s the kind of reliability quarterbacks dream about.
Engine of a High-Powered Offense
Mauigoa’s dominance up front has been a driving force behind Miami’s offensive success. The Hurricanes are averaging 34.1 points per game - good for 21st in the nation - and the offensive line has been a big reason why.
They’re paving the way for 4.19 yards per carry and allowing just 0.92 sacks per game, which ranks among the best in the country. That kind of efficiency doesn’t happen without a strong anchor on the line, and Mauigoa has been just that.
With the Jacobs Trophy now on his résumé, Mauigoa is expected to earn First-Team All-ACC honors for the first time - a well-deserved recognition after previously being named to the Second Team in 2024 and earning honorable mention in 2023. He was also a consensus Freshman All-American in his debut season, and he's only gotten better since.
A Cornerstone for Cristobal’s Culture
When Mario Cristobal took over at Miami, he made it clear: the offensive line was going to be a cornerstone of the program’s identity. Mauigoa has been the embodiment of that vision. A five-star recruit and the third-highest-rated offensive line signee in school history, he was Cristobal’s crown jewel on the recruiting trail until Justin Scott and Jackson Cantwell came aboard in 2024 and 2026, respectively.
But Mauigoa has done more than live up to the hype - he’s helped set the tone for what Cristobal wants Miami football to be: tough, disciplined, and dominant in the trenches.
NFL Future Looming
With another year of eligibility remaining, Mauigoa’s NFL stock is already soaring. The NFL Mock Draft Database currently lists him 11th on its 2026 Big Board, and he’s projected to be the first offensive lineman selected in the first round under Cristobal’s tenure. That’s a big deal for a program that’s long been known for producing elite talent but hasn’t had a first-round OL pick in recent years.
For now, though, Mauigoa can savor this moment. The Jacobs Blocking Trophy isn’t just a personal milestone - it’s a symbol of the work he’s put in, the consistency he’s maintained, and the respect he’s earned from opponents across the ACC.
And if his trajectory continues, this might just be the first of many trophies with his name on them.