Saturday was the first time Bradenton IMG Academy five-star offensive lineman
Francis Mauigoa stepped foot on Miami’s campus. It wasn’t the first time he met Mario Cristobal and Alex Mirabal though.
“It was good. They explained to us the new plan that they have and the mentality that I like. It’s pretty much simple to home. I come from an island paradise. There’s palm trees everywhere. I can see myself over here,” Mauigoa told InsideTheU.
Getting a chance to meet back up with those coaches was a big deal.
“When they were at Oregon, I went over there on a visit to kind of get that relationship in with them. [Cristobal] seems like a pretty good guy. He’s cool. I can see myself playing for him,” Mauigoa said.
The nation’s No. 2 offensive tackle got a look at some of Miami’s facilities and came away feeling good about them. It sounds like the people will matter more than the things at the end of the day.
“It was actually nice, the weight room. It’s actually about the mentality and the people around you. I didn’t really look at the things of the college, but I really looked at the people and the people who was around. You got to be around the people and that’s the culture. They said it’s the people who create the culture, not the facilities,” Mauigoa said.
Mirabal is a guy Mauigoa has a lot of respect for.
“Coach Mirabal, man, he’s crazy good. He’s got a little body but he can control big guys. I’m really impressed. He’s my guy. He’s my guy,” Mauigoa said.
The only visit Mauigoa has lined up is to USC next weekend.