Francis Mauigoa isn’t just holding down the right side of Miami’s offensive line - he’s dominating it. The sophomore tackle has been named this year’s recipient of the ACC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy, one of college football’s oldest and most prestigious honors for offensive linemen. And if you’ve been watching Miami in the trenches this season, this recognition comes as no surprise.
Since stepping onto campus in 2023, Mauigoa has been a pillar of consistency. He’s started every single game - 38 straight - at right tackle, and his performance this year has taken a leap from steady to standout.
According to Pro Football Focus, Mauigoa earned an overall grade of 85.9, the sixth-highest among all offensive tackles in the country. But where he’s really separated himself is in pass protection.
His 88.8 PFF pass-blocking grade ranks third nationally, a testament to both his technique and his toughness against some of the best edge rushers in the game.
Mauigoa’s dominance isn’t just showing up in the analytics - it’s showing up on the scoreboard and in the win column. He’s the anchor of a Miami offensive line that’s been one of the most reliable units in college football this season.
The Hurricanes head into the postseason ranked eighth in the nation in sacks allowed, giving up just 0.92 per game, and sixth in tackles for loss allowed (3.50 per game). That kind of protection doesn’t happen without elite play up front, and Mauigoa has been the tone-setter.
The unit’s performance even earned them a spot on the Joe Moore Award midseason honor roll - a nod reserved for the top offensive lines in the country. And it’s easy to see why.
Miami’s offense has been humming, racking up 425.8 yards per game behind a balanced attack. They’ve averaged 150.0 rushing yards and 275.8 passing yards per outing, and they’ve only allowed 11 sacks on 379 pass attempts.
That’s elite-level efficiency, and Mauigoa has been at the heart of it.
In the run game, Mauigoa’s impact has been just as significant. Miami closed the regular season with 1,800 rushing yards, 23 touchdowns on the ground, and a solid 4.2 yards per carry.
The Hurricanes cracked the 200-yard rushing mark three times, including a season-best 214-yard performance in a win over NC State on November 15. That kind of production doesn’t happen without a right tackle who can move bodies and open lanes.
And while offensive linemen rarely get their names called in the end zone, Mauigoa made a rare trip there himself this season, bulldozing his way in for a three-yard rushing touchdown - a fitting exclamation point for a player who’s been moving the pile all year long.
All of that protection and push up front helped quarterback Carson Beck put together a stellar campaign. Beck threw for 3,072 yards, 25 touchdowns, and completed a staggering 74.7% of his passes. That kind of efficiency starts with a clean pocket, and Mauigoa made sure Beck had one more often than not.
The Jacobs Blocking Trophy, first awarded in 1953, is steeped in tradition. Named after William P.
Jacobs, a former president of Presbyterian College, it’s awarded annually to the ACC’s top blocker as voted on by the league’s coaches. For Mauigoa, it’s not just a trophy - it’s a reflection of the respect he’s earned across the conference.
With his size, skill, and relentless motor, Mauigoa is already being talked about as a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. But for now, he’s the best blocker in the ACC - and one of the most dominant linemen in all of college football.