After being named to the preseason watch list for the Nagurski Trophy and preseason All-ACC earlier this month, Miami linebacker Francisco Mauigoa is expected to be on two more preseason watch lists this week. Mauigoa is expected to be named to the preseason watch list for the Butkus and Bednarik Awards this week.
The preseason watch list for the Bednarik Award, released Monday, is given annually by the Maxwell Football Club to the year’s top defensive player. Miami LB Dan Morgan is the only Hurricane to win the Bednarik Award. Morgan had 138 tackles and two interceptions in 2000.
Bednarik was a two-way player for Pennsylvania from 1945 to 1948 and played center and linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1949 to 1962. Bednarik was named an All-American three times, finished third in the 1948 Heisman Trophy balloting, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1969.
The Butkus Award honors the best LB in college football and will release its watch list on Tuesday. Morgan is also the only Miami player to win the Butkus Award. Mauigoa has the potential to be one of the best LBs in Miami history. Mauigoa led Miami in tackles and tackles for loss and was tied for the team leader in sacks in 2023.
The Brotherhood of @CanesFootball 🙌
Francisco Mauigoa has learned from some of the greatest to ever wear orange and green.
Mauigoa as host @joshdarrow in this week’s episode of the podcast “Behind The U”.
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— Miami Hurricanes (@MiamiHurricanes) July 29, 2024
Mauigoa had 82 tackles, 18.0 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, 2.0 forced fumbles, four passes defensed and one forced fumble in 2023. Mauigoa’s 18.0 TFLs in 2023 were the most by a Miami player since Gregory Rousseau had 19.5 during the 2019 season. Mauigoa should compete for All-American honors in 2024.
The Butkus Award is named after former Illinois and Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus. Butkus was universally selected as an All-American in 1963 and a unanimous All-American in 1964. Butkus was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983. Like Bednarik, Butkus played college center.
Francisco Mauigoa explains how the role of quarterback helped him as a LB. Francisco Mauigoa explains how the role of quarterback helped him as a LB. dark. Continue
Edge rusher Rueben Bain and Mauigoa will form the foundation of Miami’s defense in 2024. Bain was named ACC Rookie Defensive Player of the Year and a Freshman All-American in 2023. Bain and Mauigoa can both improve their games and form a dominant tandem for Miami in 2024.
