Jaxson Dart probably loves hearing this from his new teammate.
Shortly after the New York Giants selected Miami (FL) offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa with the 10th overall pick in the 2026 draft, Mauigoa showed his commitment to protection Dart.
“I’ll die for this (expletive),” he told ESPN. “I’m ready to die for you, man. A lot of things just happened, but I’m ready to die for you, bro.”
A three-year starter for the Hurricanes, Mauigoa was part of the team that reached the national title game in 2025. The America Samoa native checked in at 6-foot-5 and 329 pounds at the combine in March.
Earlier in the draft, the New York Giants used their first selection of the first round – fifth overall – to pick edge rusher Arvell Reese from Ohio State.
The Giants acquired the No. 10 overall pick in a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals that sent defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to Cincinnati.
Concerns about Mauigoa’s back popped up during the pre-draft process, but the Giants – now led by first-year head coach John Harbaugh – hired Adam Bennett as head athletic trainer this offseason, a role he previously held since 2023 at Miami, where he would have treated Mauigoa.
