IMG Academy coach gives scouting report on his four players who signed with Hurricanes
.JPG "IMG Academy Jayden Wayne (18) during their game with Miami Central Senior High School in Bradenton, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020.(Photo/Chris Tilley)")
What are the Miami Hurricanes getting with their four talented new freshmen from IMG Academy, the Bradenton-based prep boarding school that’s considered one of the nation’s top amateur sports training destinations?
I solicited feedback from IMG’s football coach, Billy Miller:
▪ On offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, who’s rated by 247 Sports as the No. 2 offensive tackle and No. 6 player overall in the 2023 class:
“Francis can play anywhere on that line,” Miller said. “He’s so athletic, big. Knows scheme, knows how to make adjustments. The leadership, the knowledge of what he’s doing stand out.
“He does a great job of commanding the line. Athleticism at his size [6-5, 330] is a” rare gift.
Mauigoa played the past two seasons at left tackle. UM must decide whether to leave him there and move its other five-star freshman addition, Samson Okunlola, to right tackle, or move Mauigoa to right tackle.
If Mauigoa ends up at right tackle, he would be “good” there, Miller said. “He’s athletic enough and will work hard to adjust his feet” to the right side.
There’s a good chance that UM’s top three tackles — including two starters — in 2023 will be Mauigoa, Okunlola and veteran Zion Nelson. DJ Scaife graduated, and John Campbell transferred to Tennessee.
Miller said Mauigoa “compares in athletic ability” to three former IMG offensive lineman in the NFL: Saints starting guard Cesar Ruiz, Giants starting tackle Evan Neal and Tampa Bay starting center Robert Hainsey.
▪ On guard Antonio Tripp, rated by 247 as the No. 21 interior lineman in this class and a player whom Mario Cristobal has credited for helping UM land other top players in this class:
“Antonio played guard for us and he’s a guard. [College] tackles need to be longer and taller. If Antonio wanted to, he could learn center as well.
“He’s a smart kid, does a really good job of pulling. He has good leverage, good bend. He’s really athletic as well.”
Is the 6-3, 300-pound Tripp better as a pass blocker or run blocker?
“Maybe 60 percent better as a run blocker, 40 percent pass blocker,” Miller said. In other words, Tripp is a skilled pass blocker but a bit more advanced as a run blocker, according to his coach.
UM has decent depth in the interior of the line, with former Alabama guard Javion Cohen, Jalen Rivers, Anez Cooper, Jakai Clark and UCF transfer center Matt Lee. So Tripp won’t need to be rushed.
▪ On Riley Williams, rated by IMG as the No. 5 tight end and the 132nd-best 2023 prospect overall:
“Before Riley got to IMG, he was a big spread-out receiver,” Miller said. “But the way we used him, we put his hand on the ground. He played a huge part in our run game, blocking the end and leading up as a blocker. Riley’s development here really helped him.”
And as a receiver, the 6-6, 240-pound Williams is a “natural ball catcher,” Miller said. “He uses his hands and his body. In one of our games on ESPN, Riley took a ball 40 yards for a touchdown at the end of the half.
“He’s so big that you wouldn’t say he’s a burner. But when he catches the ball, that kid can run. He’s so big and athletic and fast. It’s always good when you’re making corners and safeties tackle big guys like that.”
Williams likely will compete with Jaleel Skinner to back up Elijah Arroyo at tight end. All three should play.
▪ On defensive end Jayden Wayne, rated by 247 as the 11th-best edge player and 75th-best player overall in the 2023 class:
“A really humble quiet worker,” Miller said. “All he does is go about his business, takes coaching well. He will get bigger and stronger, get a ton of weight on.”
Miller said he projects as a defensive end, not an outside linebacker.
“He’s developed as a pass rusher for the high school level, and their coaches will develop them more,” Miller said. “Going after Francis every day in practice has helped both of those guys.
“As a pass rusher, his length is his best skill. He can put [offensive] tackles in a bind. He can set them up outside and set them underneath. Good bend, good feet, explosive off the ball and long. And he can get his long arms up and deflect passes. He’s good against the run, too.”
Which of the four is best equipped to help UM most as a freshman?
“I would go with Francis” because of his talent, Miller said.
Miller said this UM staff has worked to cultivate good relationships at IMG.
He said offensive line coach Alex Mirabal, Cristobal, at least one defensive line coach and tight ends coach Stephen Field all have visited campus in the past year.
“Alex Mirabal comes here a lot,” Miller said. “He’s personable with the kids and gets to know them more than just as football players.
“We’ve had a pipeline to Miami before Cristobal with Jaleel Skinner and walk-on guys. It’s a great place to get a degree from. Coral Gables, South Beach, it’s a really nice area to live.”
And UM hopes its four IMG players become cornerstone pieces of Cristobal’s rebuilding project.
This story was originally published January 10, 2023 at 3:15 PM.
