Seconds after being drafted 10th overall by the Giants, Francis Mauigoa was asked live on national television if he had a message for Jaxson Dart.
He did.
"I'm ready to die for you," the 6-foot-6, 329-pound offensive lineman said into the microphone.
That's someone a quarterback wants on his side.
"Jaxson's a great guy," Mauigoa said. "I know he's a Utah guy, from Ole Miss, great quarterback, elite quarterback I would say, with the way he plays and the way he handles things. I feel great in this offense. We're going to get this thing going. We're going to have a lot of fun."
Mauigoa, drafted 10th overall, was a first-team AP All-American at Miami and the program's first winner of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which is awarded to the most outstanding blocker in the ACC by a poll of the league's head coaches and defensive coordinators.
The plan is for Mauigoa to guard him – literally.
Mauigoa never missed a start in college while lining up 42 times at right tackle. But the Giants will play him at guard.
Once he had time to catch his breath, Mauigoa backed up his spontaneous proclamation when he spoke on a conference call with Giants reporters.
"That should be everybody's mentality," he said. "As offensive linemen we should be able to put everything on the line because the quarterback is the key of the offense. So, to be able to block for a quarterback and to be able to make plays and open up holes for the running back, that's what we're supposed to do. It's not something that people want us to – It's something that we're expected to do, that's what we need to do."
His general manager heard the comment.
"That's the type of kid he is," Joe Schoen said.
View photos of the Giants' two first-round picks, linebacker Arvell Reese and offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa, at the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese puts on a hat after being chosen by the New York Giants with the fifth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa, right, poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the New York Giants with the 10th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese walks out on stage after being chosen by the New York Giants with the fifth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft in Pittsburgh, Thursday, April 23, 2026. (Adam Hunger/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa walks out on stage after being chosen by the New York Giants with the 10th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft in Pittsburgh, Thursday, April 23, 2026. (Adam Hunger/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the New York Giants with the fifth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa walks out on stage after being chosen by the New York Giants with the 10th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft in Pittsburgh, Thursday, April 23, 2026. (Adam Hunger/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese, left, is congratulated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the New York Giants with the fifth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa greets NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the New York Giants with the 10th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft in Pittsburgh, Thursday, April 23, 2026. (Adam Hunger/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese celebrates with fans after being chosen by the New York Giants with the fifth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa puts on a hat after being chosen by the New York Giants with the 10th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese smiles after being chosen fifth overall by the New York Giants in the green room during the during the first round NFL football draft in Pittsburgh, Thursday, April 23, 2026. (Doug Benc/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa celebrates after being chosen by the New York Giants with the 10th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft in Pittsburgh, Thursday, April 23, 2026. (Adam Hunger/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese poses with a jersey after being chosen by the New York Giants with the fifth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa celebrates with fans after being chosen by the New York Giants with the 10th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa walks out on stage after being chosen by the New York Giants with the 10th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft in Pittsburgh, Thursday, April 23, 2026. (Adam Hunger/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese celebrates after being picked third overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the green room during the during the first round NFL football draft in Pittsburgh, Thursday, April 23, 2026. (Doug Benc/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the New York Giants with the 10th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft in Pittsburgh, Thursday, April 23, 2026. (Adam Hunger/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the New York Giants with the fifth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa celebrates with fans after being chosen by the New York Giants with the 10th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa, right, poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the New York Giants with the 10th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese walks out to the stage after being chosen by the New York Giants with the fifth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa, right, poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the New York Giants with the 10th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese celebrates with fans after being chosen by the New York Giants with the fifth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa reacts after being chosen by the New York Giants with the 10th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa poses after being chosen by the New York Giants with the 10th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese is cheered by New York Giants fans after being selected during the first round of the NFL football draft in Pittsburgh, Thursday, April 23, 2026. (Vera Nieuwenhuis/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa celebrates with fans after being chosen by the New York Giants with the 10th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
