Gang Green Nation
Taking a look at the Jets rookie linebacker
The New York Jets drafted former Miami linebacker Francisco “Kiko” Mauigoa in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft. Today we break Mauigoa down in detail.
The 22-year old Mauigoa is listed at 6’2” and 233 pounds. He was a two-time all-ACC second team selection. He recorded 255 tackles, 13 sacks and three interceptions in four seasons at the college level, having played for two years at Washington State before he transferred to the Hurricanes.
Background
Mauigoa was a three-star high school recruit who played his first season at Washington State in 2021. He started one game and recorded 17 tackles and a tackle for loss. In his second season, he started 11 games and filled out the stat sheet with 60 tackles, six tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and 3.5 sacks. He also scored a touchdown on a 95-yard pick six.
Ahead of the 2023 season, Mauigoa transferred to Miami and his production continued to increase as he was a second team all-ACC selection in each of the next two years.
He led the ACC in 2023 with 18 tackles for loss, while also registering 82 tackles, 7.5 sacks, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and an interception.
He then set career highs with 96 tackles and five passes defensed in 2024, although he made fewer impact plays with 11 tackles for loss, two sacks, one forced fumble and one interception.
Mauigoa was invited to the Shrine Bowl and the NFL scouting combine before the Jets selected him in the fifth round in April’s draft.
Let’s move onto some more in-depth analysis of what Mauigoa brings to the table as a player, based on extensive research and film study.
Measurables/Athleticism
Mauigoa is slightly undersized and lacks ideal length, although he does have big hands and showed adequate strength by registering 21 bench press reps at his pro day.
His combine workout numbers were pretty solid across the board as he ran a 4.60 in the 40-yard dash and posted solid agility numbers. His explosiveness numbers were very good, especially as he improved his vertical by two inches to 37 inches at his pro day workout.
Usage
Mauigoa has played almost exclusively as a middle linebacker, rarely aligning outside the tackle box unless he matches up with someone in the slot.
He also played as a quarterback in high school.
Run defense
Scouting reports characterize Mauigoa as a “thumper” who is good going downhill and attacking the line of scrimmage but perhaps limited in terms of his lateral movement and ability to change direction. However, based on some of his film, he looks to be better than advertised going sideline-to-sideline.
He seems to have a good knack for reading blocking schemes and navigating through traffic to find his way to the ball, displaying more patience than hesitation and rarely running himself out of a play or over pursuing.
Some of those thumper traits are certainly there though, in terms of...
