Center Matt Lee and linebacker Francisco Mauigoa represented the Miami football program on the On3 All-America team posted on Thursday morning. Former Miami defensive lineman Elijah Roberts who is now at SMU was also named to the On3 transfer All-American team. Lee and Mauigoa made big impacts for Miami in 2023.
Lee and Mauigoa were graded as the two best out of the 17 transfers to the 2023 Miami football roster. Lee solidified the center position and was part of a significantly improved offensive line that also included guard Javion Cohen. Mauigoa was the biggest impact player on the Miami defense in 2023.
Lee led a Miami OL that improved from 70 tackles for loss allowed in 2022 to 59 in 2023 and from 36 sacks by opponents in 2022 to 14 in 2023. Miami also improved from 128.33 rushing yards per game and 3.74 yards per carry in 2022 to 176.75 rushing YPG and 5.2 YPC during the 2023 season.
Mauigoa anchored a Miami defense that improved from 142.08 rushing YPG allowed per game and 4.0 YPC to an ACC-leading 97.08 rushing YPG and 3.17 YPC in 2023. Mauigoa provides Miami with a more athletic and bigger presence at middle LB. Jesse Simonton of On3 commented on the season Mauigoa has had in 2023.
“Mauigoa transferred to Miami to play with his brother Francis Mauigoa, a 5-star freshman tackle, and his move was a rounding success as he finished No. 2 in the ACC with 17 tackles for loss. He had 70 tackles, 7.5 sacks and one interception.”
Lee and Mauigoa both earned second-team All-ACC. Mauigoa finished 20th in the ACC in tackles and tied for fifth in sacks with teammate Rueben Bain and Jasheen Davis of Wake Forest. Per David Lake of Inside the U, Pro Football Focus Lee graded Lee “with an 89.1 pass blocking grade and a 70.3 run blocking grade.”
Lee was the eighth-highest-graded Miami player in 2023 and Mauigoa was 17th. Lee and Mauigoa are both reportedly considering their options of entering the 2024 NFL Draft. Both players have one season of eligibility remaining beyond 2023. Lee and Mauigoa would each be difficult to replace.
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