Francis Mauigoa, an NFL player, has a notable family background including his brother Francisco, a college football standout. Both brothers have made significant impacts in football, with distinct positions on the field.
Key points
Francis Mauigoa is an NFL player.
Francisco Mauigoa is his older brother and a college football defender.
Francisco played at Washington State and Miami.
Francis and Francisco have different positions in football.
The Mauigoa family has Samoan roots.
Washington StateMiamiFrancis MauigoaFrancisco Mauigoa
The Mauigoa name carries increased weight in the world of football. Francisco Mauigoa emerged as one of college football's finest defenders during his time at Washington State and Miami (Fla.).
A few years later, his younger brother, Francis, came down the pipeline. There are a fair few differences between the elder Mauigoa brother and his hulking younger brother â chief among them, Francisco plays linebacker, while Francis opens up lanes on the offensive line.
Nevertheless, both players are making their impacts felt at the next level. All the while, they're continuing in the tradition of countless Samoan players young and old who have become gridiron eternals, imprinting themselves into the billowing tapestry that is the sport's history.
With that, here's what you need to know about Francis and Francisco Mauigoa's relationship.
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Francis Mauigoa's older brother is Francisco Mauigoa. The Jets linebacker flocked to the gridiron from a young age, coming to prominence on the lush plains that lined the American Samoa landscape.
The Mauigoas took their talents to the mainland United States, arriving in California ahead of Francisco's junior season. He shined during two years at Aquinas High School, earning three-star billing as a linebacker while producing more than 1,000 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior. Francisco committed to Washington State, where he spent two seasons. Ahead of the 2023 season, Francisco entered the transfer portal. He subsequently landed in Miami (Fla.), taking hold of the linebacker corps behind vaunted pass rusher Rueben Bain. Francisco made an inspired choice transferring to the Hurricanes. He got there just in time to greet his younger brother, Francis, who earned coveted five-star billing and committed to Miami after talks with his family.
The Jets selected Francisco Mauigoa in the fifth round (162nd overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft. He quietly emerged as a steady performer in New York's defense in his maiden year as a pro, amassing 45 tackles (16 solo) in eight starts.
Why is Francisco Mauigoa called Kiko?
Francisco Mauigoa's nickname is Kiko. It's unclear quite where the moniker came from, although it is likely that it emerged at some point during his childhood. Oftentimes, people named Francisco are instead called "Paco", an apparent reference to Saint Francis of Assisi â the pater communitatis(father of the community) of the Franciscan order. Kiko doesn't share the same origins. However, it could reference something specific to his Samoan background.
The eldest of the Mauigoa's NFL-bound brothers, Francisco is 23 years old.
How many siblings does Francis Mauigoa have?
All told, Francis Mauigoa has six siblings: elder brothers Frederick and Francisco, younger brothers Fidelis and Frank and sisters Frantacia and Fedelma, per Samoa News.
Francis Mauigoa brother: Frederick Mauigoa
Francis Mauioga's eldest brother is Fredrick Mauigoa. He, too, played high-level college football, enjoying a splendid spell at Washington State. Like his youngest brother, Frederick found joy on the offensive line, garnering award consideration as a center.
Frederick spent the entirety of his childhood in American Samoa, turning out for powerhouse program Tafuna High School.
His gridiron journey took him to Pullman, Wash. then Charlotte. Frederick signed with the Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He failed to make the final roster, seeing his contract waived prior to the start of the 2020 preseason. He landed in Cincinnati, although his contract was voided before the end of the season.
Francis Mauigoa brothers
Francis Mauigoa has four brothers in total: Frederick, Francisco, Fidelis and Frank. Not much is known about Fidelis and Frank â at least not at present.
Francis Mauigoa has two sisters: Frantacia and Fedelma. They, too, have evaded the spotlight, with little information made public regarding their personal histories and career aspirations.
Who are Francis Mauigoa's parents?
Francis Mauigoa's parents are Fa'alialia Mauigoa and Telesia Mauigoa.
Francis Mauigoa dad: Fa'alialia Mauigoa
Francis Mauigoa's father is Fa'alialia Mauigoa. He and his wife played a pivotal role in helping Francis settle at Miami. In fact, Francis brought the topic of his recruitment to his family on the eve of signing day, holding talks in the family's surrogate situation room in Hawai'i.
It was "a family decision", Francis told NCAA.com in May 2025.
"Because it affected everyone."
Francis opted to join Francisco on the Hurricanes. Fa'alialia and Telesia followed suit, moving minutes from their sons.
Francis Mauigoa's mother is Telesia Mauigoa. Like her husband, Fa'alialia, Telesia sacrificed a lot to help Francis reach his NFL dreams. Francis' parents sent him across the country, allowing him to receive first class training.
Francis said he was forever indebted to his family for their contributions to his playing career.
"They sacrificed a lot for me to be at where I was," Francis said at the NFL Combine, per YardBarker. "Sending me all the way to IMG Academy at a very early age, I didn't even know no English, but they took a chance on me to go by myself. ... They sent me out there for a reason, and I'm making sure that I'm not letting them down."
Francis and Francisco made sure to repay their parents for their efforts, using their NIL money to retire them and allow them to set up shop in Vice City.
Francis Mauigoa is Samoan. His roots have helped shape the person he has become â even if he was one of the few Samoans to was ashore in Miami during his time with the Hurricanes.
"Being someone who grew up in a Samoan household, I was taught to respect everyone, from the elders all the way to the youngest, no matter what age or what ethnicity. I was taught to be humble," Francis told the NCAA. "So being Samoan, it built who I am, and it formed me to be this type of person that I am today."
Francis and Francisco are the latest in a long line of Samoan flagbearers to find NFL success. From Domata Peko and Mike Iupati to contemporary standouts like Penei Sewell and Frankie Luvu, American Samoa â a tiny island of 50,000 located in the South Pacific â has played an outsized impact on the gridiron.
Francis Mauigoa hails from Ili'ili, American Samoa, a town of a little more than 3,000 located in the southwest of Tutuila, the largest and most populous of American Samoa.
