Jets Fifth-Round Pick From American Samoa Starred at Miami

Eric Allen

It was fitting that Luke and Tom Stoltman -- the world's strongest brothers announced from Scotland the Jets' fifth-round selection of Miami LB Francisco "Kiko" Mauigoa. Mauigoa, a strong, rugged, physical linebacker, took a long road to the NFL, which began in a territory thousands of miles from the US mainland.

"I was born and raised in American Samoa, went to Cali for my junior year of high school just for exposure of high school football and [to] get some offers," Mauigoa, 22, said on draft weekend. "I first got my offer in Cali and then I went back home when Covid struck and then committed to Washington State. So, it was a rough ride, it was a rough journey, but the people I spent my lifetime with was worth the wait and worth the journey. So it was amazing."

Starting in the American Samoa, Mauigoa attended Tafuna HS and played QB for two seasons. He and his younger brother, Francis, joined a host family in San Bernardino, CA, and Kiko played both ways at Aquinas Catholic HS. The boys returned home, and he played his senior season at Tafuna before he and Francis transferred to the IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. Washington State was Mauigoa's lone Power 5 offer and he became their 12th-ranked recruit in the 2021 class. He appeared in 25 games for Washington State from 2021-22, recording 77 tackles, 6 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 3 FF, 2 PDs and 1 INT.

Entering the transfer portal following the 2022 season, Mauigoa was contacted by Miami's Mario Cristobal and he and Francis committed to play for the 'Canes.

"He was the first to reach out to me, and when I went on my visit, like I said, it just felt like family," Mauigoa said. "I just felt like I fit in, and it just allowed me to play fast, and the type of defense we ran allowed me to play fast and physical downhill."

Mauigoa, who wore the green dot as Miami's middle linebacker, was a stat stuffer in his two seasons in Coral Gables. Starting 26 games in 2023-24, Mauigoa totaled 178 tackles, 29 TFL, 9.5 sacks, 10 PDs, 3 FF and 2 INT.

"Sideline-to-sideline-type dude," Mauigoa said of his play style. "Just create turnovers -- that's the best way to win games is to create turnovers and have the offense get the ball as much as possible throughout the whole game. And fast and physical, come downhill, make tackles in the backfield and try to create chaos in the backfield."

Bucky Brooks of NFL Network said: "Always active, on the second-level find a way to get to the ball. Just has a great feel, instincts that shows up on tape over and over and over again."

Mauigoa will join a linebacker unit that features Jamien Sherwood and Quincy Williams. He could slide into a role as Sherwood's backup at the Mike.

"Kiko's a smart, heady, aggressive, physical linebacker that's going to get a chance to go in and compete for a linebacker spot," said HC Aaron Glenn. "Plus, he has special teams value."

Mauigoa (6-2, 233) says he would embrace a special teams role under coordinator Chris Banjo.

"I played special teams my whole college career no matter what -- I was playing defense and special teams," Mauigoa said. "I was playing punt, I was playing kickoff, kickoff return when I was in my early years of college, and I have no problems with it. I mean, I love the game of football. I just want to help out the team as much as possible, so being on the field as a special teamer or a defensive player, glory to God because I get to live out my dream, and it's just another opportunity to play football."