Francisco Mauigoa has transformed from a three-star linebacker to a preseason All-ACC selection with NFL aspirations. He met with reporters to discuss his progress, the team's chemistry, the Gators and more:
On the blitzes planned for August 31: We're just going to play our game. Coach G is going to handle all that. He's going to call whatever plays are good for us to run at a certain time. All we're going to do is execute. Our main focus is our job and to do that at a high level. If he sends me on a blitz, I'm going to do it to the best of my ability.
On his impression of the Gators: That's a good offense. They’ve got a really experienced quarterback, Mertz. The’ve got, good running back core and some good playmakers on the outside. So we need to be prepared for that challenge. They’ve got a good football team.
On the mindset of the team: Throughout fall camp, it was high-level competition. We were going at it, defense and offense. Now it's time to shift our focus to our opponent. All that preparation from fall camp, going at it with the offense, it has prepared us mentally and physically. And not only that, it created a lot of good chemistry between us. Everybody is in the right mindset to prepare and practice for the upcoming game and be able to put on a performance against the Gators.
On the defensive line: We got a lot of talent that came in from the transfer portal. One thing that stood out to me is how deep the defensive line is and how physical these guys are. These guys are willing to put in all the work and to lay it all on the line for the defense. They’re getting in the playbooks, working on staying extra or doing some extra reps, working on their hands. These guys play the run really well, too. I'm excited to play behind these guys and work together as a defense to stop offenses.
On the blitzes planned for August 31: We're just going to play our game. Coach G is going to handle all that. He's going to call whatever plays are good for us to run at a certain time. All we're going to do is execute. Our main focus is our job and to do that at a high level. If he sends me on a blitz, I'm going to do it to the best of my ability.
On his impression of the Gators: That's a good offense. They’ve got a really experienced quarterback, Mertz. The’ve got, good running back core and some good playmakers on the outside. So we need to be prepared for that challenge. They’ve got a good football team.
On the mindset of the team: Throughout fall camp, it was high-level competition. We were going at it, defense and offense. Now it's time to shift our focus to our opponent. All that preparation from fall camp, going at it with the offense, it has prepared us mentally and physically. And not only that, it created a lot of good chemistry between us. Everybody is in the right mindset to prepare and practice for the upcoming game and be able to put on a performance against the Gators.
On the defensive line: We got a lot of talent that came in from the transfer portal. One thing that stood out to me is how deep the defensive line is and how physical these guys are. These guys are willing to put in all the work and to lay it all on the line for the defense. They’re getting in the playbooks, working on staying extra or doing some extra reps, working on their hands. These guys play the run really well, too. I'm excited to play behind these guys and work together as a defense to stop offenses.
