Giants Rookie Francis Mauigoa Reveals His No. 1 Priority Before Training Camp
Giants Rookie Francis Mauigoa Reveals His No. 1 Priority Before Training Camp
The Giants' first-round draft pick has his eyes set on this all-important X-factor as he prepares for his first NFL training camp later this month. Patricia Traina|
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New York GiantsNew York Giants rookie offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa got an opportunity to tap into his inner child this week when he participated in a series of water park-themed charity challenges
at the Great Wolf Lodge Maryland benefitting organizations serving youth .
But in a matter of just a few weeks, Mauigoa, the tenth overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, will tap into something deeper when he hits the practice field at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
“My first goal as a rookie is to earn everybody's trust,” he told the Locked On Giants podcast.
“I can't be on the field if I didn't earn everybody's trust. So I gotta act that out, in practice, I gotta make that come to life by dominating practice, by doing everything right. From there on, it becomes all about football and being the best offensive lineman.”
Tackling a position switch
Mauigoa, nicknamed “Sisi,” is off to a strong start in his quest to earn the trust of his coaches and teammates.
He’s drawn the admiration from those inside 1925 Giants Drive for not only having to acclimate to life in the NFL but also to have to make a position switch from tackle to guard, where he is expected to pair with right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor this season on the right side of the offensive line.
To Mauigoa’s credit, he’s been a coach’s dream. Offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren, who told reporters at the close of the team’s mandatory minicamp that he and his family have taken to the rookie as another member, praised the former Miami Hurricane for not making the same mistake twice.
“I think the thing that maybe allowed him to stand out more in the process was the fact that he's been coached by Alex Mirabel at Miami, and nobody is doing better in college football than Alex,” Bloomgren said.
“His group, the way he teaches, their foundational knowledge of this game. It's just next level.”
Mentors and Protectors
Besides his own determination to become reliable, Mauigoa has the support of his fellow offensive linemen, particularly Eluemunor, whom Mauigoa fondly refers to as “Unc.”
It was Eluemunor who was really Mauigoa’s first point of contact once he came into the building, during an offseason when CBA rules limited contact between coaches and players.
But while Eluemunor has been a constant voice in Mauigoa’s ear, the rookie knows that he can go to anyone on the offensive line when he has questions.
That includes center John Michael Schmitz, who is projected to line up on Mauigoa’s other side and who has taken it upon himself to look out for the young rookie during practice.
“JMS is a dog,” Mauigoa said with a smile. “JMS is one hell of a player, one hell of a center. When I mess up, he is like, ‘It's all right; I'll take care of it.’ He's one of those players who tries to put it all on his shoulders.
“I’m like that, too. We're not playing selfish where we want the other person to have all the load, but we wanna help one another.”
So Far, So Good
It all comes down to earning trust, and according to Bloomgren, Mauigoa is off to a very good start.
“Sisi is doing a great job of not making the same mistake twice,” he said, adding that Mauigoa’s transition to guard thus far has been “very smooth.”
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Published 4 minutes ago
PATRICIA TRAINAPatricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.
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Penn State Says it Has Guaranteed More Than $1 Billion in Future Athletics Revenue
Penn State Says it Has Guaranteed More Than $1 Billion in Future Athletics Revenue
Athletic Director Pat Kraft says Penn State has "one of the strongest financial foundations in college athletics."Mark Wogenrich|
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Penn State Nittany LionsPenn State has developed new business and marketing partnerships generating more than $1 billion in future athletics revenue, according to Athletic Director Pat Kraft. It also has one of the largest debt services in college athletics, the product of an ongoing $700 million renovation of Beaver Stadium.
In a letter to Penn State fans recapping the 2025-26 athletics season, Kraft said that Penn State saw record attendance, fundraising and ticket sales during the year. Penn State generated record revenue during the 2024-25 fiscal year, topping $250 million in gross athletics revenue for the first time in school history. Figures for the 2025-26 fiscal year will be available early next year.
Penn State also spent more than $250 million for the first time, largely due to increasing NIL payments and the Beaver Stadium renovation. Penn State reported total athletics-related debt of $534.6 million, one of the nation's highest athletics deficits.
Still, Kraft in his letter painted a positive outlook of Penn State's total athletics health.
"Together, we’ve built one of the strongest financial foundations in college athletics, securing more than $1 billion in guaranteed future revenue while dramatically increasing philanthropic support for our student-athletes and programs," Kraft wrote. "Those aren’t simply milestones. They’re investments in championships. They’re investments in people. And they’re investments in the future of Penn State Athletics."
One chapter closes, another begins. Here's to what's next.#WeAre | A letter from Pat Kraft: https://t.co/z3QVD7RGGU pic.twitter.com/WV2rcLiSvi
— Penn State Athletics (@GoPSUsports) June 30, 2026
Kraft's letter marked not only the begininng of Penn State's 2026-27 athletics year and budget but also his fifth year in charge of the department. Kraft has made sweeping changes during his Penn State term, including the new 10-year apparrel deal with adidas that took effect July 1.
Kraft said the deal, whose total value could reach $300 million over its lifespan, would set an "industry standard" in college athletics. Penn State on Wednesday unveiled its new adidas football uniforms and opened a campus pop-up shop featuring adidas merchandise.
Kraft has conducted a significant overhaul of Penn State's athletics department since becoming athletic director in 2022. He negotiated a 15-year, $50 million deal for the naming rights to the field at Beaver Stadium and signed contracts with a new media rights partner and a new ticketing partner, among many others. The adidas deal represents Kraft's most consequential change.
Penn State also reached a milestone in the Beaver Stadium construction, holding a "topping out" ceremony in June that placed the last beam atop the new West Tower. When complete, the tower will reach a peak of 195 feet.
"Every day, the future of West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium becomes more visible," Kraft wrote in the letter. "After more than 750,000 labor hours, thousands of tons of steel and the topping out of the final beam this June, we’re creating a game day experience worthy of the greatest fans in college sports.
'Expanded concourses, modern amenities, upgraded premium spaces, enhanced technology and improved accessibility will ensure Beaver Stadium remains one of the most iconic and intimidating venues in America for decades to come."
Built for the loudest crowd in college football. 🔊
— Beaver Stadium (@beaver_stadium) June 30, 2026
The new west side is on the way, and we already know the atmosphere is going to be next level.#WeAre pic.twitter.com/liDjE6PpJ3
Penn State also opened its new Jeffrey Field soccer complex last year as well as the bubble training facility that relieves scheduling pressure on Holuba Hall, which multiple programs shared with Penn State football.
"These investments aren’t simply about buildings," Kraft wrote. "They’re about creating an environment where the best coaches want to coach, the best student-athletes want to compete and where every member of our department has the resources to pursue excellence. They reflect
our belief that when you invest in people, extraordinary things happen."
On the field, Penn State finished 23rd in the Learfield Directors' Cup, the annual all-sports award of college athletics. Having publicly suggested Penn State could win four NCAA titles last season, Kraft setteld for one: the fifth straight NCAA team title for Penn State wrestling.
"As proud as we are of what we’ve accomplished together, we’re even more excited about what’s ahead," Kraft wrote. "The future of college athletics is being written today, and Penn State intends to help write it. We have extraordinary student-athletes. Outstanding coaches. Incredible staff. Unmatched facilities. And the greatest fans in college athletics.
"Most importantly, we have a community that believes in something bigger than itself. Thank you for believing in our vision. Thank you for believing in our student-athletes. And thank you for believing in Penn State. The momentum is real. The future is bright. And we’re just getting started."
We Are—and will always be...Penn State.#WeAre \\\ @adidas pic.twitter.com/FBl7qxTuwT
— Penn State Athletics (@GoPSUsports) July 1, 2026
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Published 25 minutes ago
MARK WOGENRICHMark Wogenrich is the editor and publisher of Penn State on SI, the site for Nittany Lions sports on the Sports Illustrated network. He has covered Penn State sports for more than two decades across three coaching staffs, three Rose Bowls and one College Football Playoff appearance.
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