The family was gathered at their rented lake house for the wedding of their older brother, and college football talents Francis and Kiko Mauigoa were beside the lake, refining their pass-rushing skills on the grass.
No breaks for them.
“Just the fact they brought their cleats says a lot,” chuckled groom Frederic Mauigoa. “If there’s a chance to practice, they jump on it. They wanted to be ahead of everyone else who was just lounging around.”
Now, three years later, those moments of commitment, along with afternoons spent in American Samoa—where sports gear was limited—are paying off immensely.
Francis is projected to be a top-10 draft pick and the first offensive tackle selected in 2026, following in the footsteps of Kiko, who was a fifth-round pick by the Jets in 2025. They come from the village of Iliiri, home to around 3,000 residents. Along with two older brothers, a younger brother, and two younger sisters, they were raised on values of faith, family, and respect.
“It’s just wild,” Frederick, a former center at Washington State University, stated. “No one imagined our family would end up here. My parents left the island, and it wasn’t something we ever thought about. It’s unbelievable to see them both making it to the NFL. We always knew they were good players and hard workers, but this level? It’s hard to believe.”
So, what changed?
Kiko made a name for himself at St. Thomas Aquinas College, deciding to leave home in the middle of high school to stay with a host family in California. He shifted from aspiring to be another Marcus Mariota or Tua Tagovailoa to embracing the role of a linebacker, eventually signing with Washington State University.
“Francis was always my protector during our high school years. He literally had my back,” Kiko shared. “Once I switched to linebacker, I really grew to love it; it fit my style perfectly because of my physicality.”
Francisco took a similar route, making his way from Iliyili to St. Thomas Aquinas and then IMG Academy in Florida. Francis, rated as a five-star offensive tackle recruit, ended up signing with Miami, kind of as a package deal with Kiko.
Kiko relocated 3,000 miles to live with his brother and joined the field in 2023, leading the ACC with 18 tackles for loss.
The brothers combined their NIL earnings to help their parents move to Miami. As practice ramped up, they faced off against each other in competition.
“He annoys me sometimes, getting all up in my space, but I don’t take him lightly, and I know he feels the same,” Kiko remarked. “It’s that competitive spirit—I’m determined to make plays, even against my brother. We thrive on pushing each other to be better.”
“When he plays well, you better believe he’ll let you know. Others might not catch what we say, but we do a lot of trash talking. After practice, we revert to being brothers. We’ve got that strong bond, mixing tough love with competitiveness.”
Home Game
American Samoa has an impressive track record of producing NFL players relative to its population.
Icons like Mosi Tatupu, Joe Salavea, Mike Yupati, and Penei Sewell serve as inspirations for youngsters striving to overcome geographical barriers.
“I refuse to take this opportunity for granted,” Francis stated. “I see the kids back home hungry for these chances too. It drives me to keep pushing.”
While rugby and volleyball dominate local fields, soccer prompts a bit more ingenuity. Kids often improvise, using coconuts in place of soccer balls, or transforming cardboard boxes and old shoes into makeshift padding for practice.
“Things are improving with better equipment distribution, but when I was there, you just made it work,” Kiko noted. “We’d cut up old slippers for thigh pads, shared helmets, and sometimes kids would show up without cleats, finding it easier to run barefoot.”
The Mauigoa brothers have learned the value of hard work from their parents and through chores, whether tending to the land or cleaning up around family homes. “If I wasn’t busy planting taro or building a fence, I was raking leaves,” Kiko explained.
“Football players who reach the college level often reflect on their upbringing and history,” Frederick mentioned. “You have to think about who you’re representing.”
However, an NFL highlight reel stirs the same excitement in Iliyili as it does in other communities.
“The kids see success and just want to jump in and play,” Kiko observed. “We love being active outdoors, and the community’s tight-knit nature means you can just drop by your neighbor’s house.”
While the NFL features families that have made it big, like the Watts and Kelces, reaching such heights remains a rarity.
Before the end of the regular season, Francis honored tradition by performing the Samoan farewell haka in the locker room. He was pleasantly surprised when Kiko, back at his old school, joined in.
“Growing up on this island, it’s all about heart,” Francis reflected at the NFL Combine. “Samoa is small, and that means we really stick together. We’ve grown up with the belief that ‘it takes a village to raise a child.’”
Brotherly Love
Though Kiko is the eldest, he rarely needed to step in to defend his younger brother.
“He’s quite the protector himself,” Kiko said. “He grew up strong, so I doubt he faced many bullies. I always tell him, ‘Just be yourself. Don’t try to be someone you’re not.’ I genuinely believe his journey encourages me to aim high.”
Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 329 pounds, Francis has only grown bigger.
And stronger too. Frederick remarked, “I get hit during practice, but when he hits me, it hurts a bit more.”
As for speed? Probably not, though he was one of the swiftest players during his youthful days.
“When he was on the field, it felt like other kids were running in slow motion,” Frederick recalled. “I’m not sure why others struggled to keep pace. Maybe his size intimidated them.”
According to ESPN, Francis has given up just two sacks over 1,055 pass-blocking snaps in the past two seasons. He’s a contender for the starting right tackle spot from Day 1, although some NFL teams see him as more of a road-grading guard, potentially making him a surprise candidate for the No. 5 pick.
“If you look at the top teams, their tackles are often a luxury. You don’t have to scramble for one if you’re in need,” NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah pointed out. “Mauigoa is strong—at 345 pounds, his body fat is under 20%. He’s quite the solid athlete.”
Kiko, in his rookie year with the Jets, notched 45 tackles over 12 games and eight starts. He’s also poised to be a key special teams player for years to come.
“He understands the offensive game, which is invaluable,” Frederick noted.
As always, Kiko will play a pivotal role in helping Francis prepare for the draft. What’s the NFL Combine going to be like? How about team visits? Will he be flexible about switching positions?
“There are five positions in play, and I’m ready to take whatever fits,” Francis said, having started 42 career games. “I owe it all to my parents. They sacrificed so much, sending me to IMG Academy even when I didn’t speak English, allowing me to grow in challenging situations. I’m cautious not to let them down.”
Unless unexpected circumstances arise, it’s unlikely the Mauigoas will share a team in 2026 as they did in high school and college.
But whether he ends up with a rival in the AFC East or a close neighbor in New York, it remains to be seen.
“I’m not overly worried this year; I know how hard he’s worked, and I trust he’s put in the effort to reach this point,” Kiko said. “He’s smart, so he’ll handle those interviews well. I’m excited to see where he ends up; I know he’s going to make an impact.”
