Everything you need to know about NY Jets rookie LB Francisco Mauigoa

The Jets entered Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft with a pair of fifth-round picks, thanks in part to the trade that sent wide receiver Mike Williams to Pittsburgh.

With their first fifth-round pick, the Jets added to their defense by selecting Miami linebacker Francisco Mauigoa. He was the first of two Hurricanes drafted by New York in the round, joined later by edge rusher Tyler Baron.

Linebacker is a position of strength for the Jets, led by Jamien Sherwood and Quincy Williams. But with Williams’ long-term future uncertain, it makes sense for the team to invest in younger depth at the position.

Let’s get to know Francisco “Kiko” Mauigoa and break down everything Jets fans should know about the team’s newest linebacker.

Humble beginnings in American Samoa

Mauigoa’s football journey began in a small coastal village thousands of miles from the U.S. mainland. Raised in 'Ili'ili, a community of just over 3,000 in American Samoa, Mauigoa didn’t grow up with the resources or exposure many young athletes take for granted.

Equipment was makeshift, money was tight, and opportunities were slim. But the passion was undeniable. American Samoa may not be Texas or Florida, but football is ingrained in its culture, and Mauigoa was shaped by it.

Raised to respect his elders, stay humble, and work hard, Mauigoa grew up with a strong foundation. He overcame circumstances far more challenging than those faced by many of his future NFL peers.

He attended high school in his hometown, except for a pit stop during his junior season. He would spend that year playing for Aquinas Catholic High School in San Bernardino, California. During his senior season back home, he committed to the Washington State football program.

Transferring schools to play with his family

Mauigoa spent two seasons at Washington State, breaking out during his sophomore campaign. He totaled 77 tackles during his time with the Cougars before deciding to transfer ahead of his junior year.

He would transfer to Miami to play out his final two college seasons. This may sound typical for student-athletes nowadays, but his transfer came with an admirable purpose.

His younger brother, Francis, had just committed to play for the Hurricanes. And being that he is all about family, Francisco decided to join his younger brother in sunny Coral Gables.

That choice paid off. Mauigoa recorded 178 total tackles and 29 tackles for loss over two seasons at Miami, earning second-team All-ACC honors both years. His younger brother Francis remains a starting offensive tackle for the Hurricanes.

'Sideline-to-sideline-type dude'

What’s interesting about Mauigoa is how he describes himself. When asked by reporters about his play style after the draft, he called himself “a sideline-to-sideline-type dude.” That confidence is admirable, even if most scouting reports paint a different picture.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, for example, wrote in his draft profile that Mauigoa “lacks adequate speed for sideline-to-sideline range.”

But that just shows how much belief the kid has in himself. Will he ever be a true sideline-to-sideline linebacker? Probably not. But the confidence he brings is a key trait for anyone trying to make it at the next level.

In reality, Mauigoa projects as more of an old-school, downhill linebacker. At 6-foot-2 and 233 pounds, he’s built for the trenches. He’s the type of linebacker running backs dread seeing in a gap. But he also brings patience, instincts, and a high football IQ to the table.

While he likely won’t be an every-down player and doesn’t offer much in coverage, Mauigoa’s intelligence and physicality still give him a path to NFL value. Whether he becomes a special teams mainstay or a situational run-stopper, there’s a role to be carved out if used the right way.

Where Francisco Mauigoa fits moving forward

As previously noted, don’t expect to hear Mauigoa’s name much in Year 1. He’ll likely serve as a situational piece for the Jets, used strategically when needed. To earn consistent defensive reps, he’ll need to prove he can hold up in man coverage and stay afloat against quick, elusive running backs in space.

If not, there’s still plenty of value he can bring on special teams or in short-yardage situations. Like any fifth-round pick, it’s all about finding a role. If he can contribute in the areas that suit his skill set, he should stick around long enough to keep developing.

And who knows? Maybe one day he works his way into a starting linebacker role. Anything in the NFL is possible, especially for a player with Mauigoa’s drive. At the very least, he has the tools to be a dependable utility piece. His future from here hinges on how far he develops past that point.

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