Jaxson Dart ‘Fired Up’ by Rookie OL’s Promise to ‘Die For’ His New QB

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart was fired up by his new o-lineman, vowing to protect him with his life.

The Giants drafted guard Francis Mauigoa with the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Taking the stage in Pittsburgh, Mauigoa spoke directly to Dart, saying he was “ready to die” for him. Mauigoa’s comments echoed similar ones made by New England Patriots left tackle Will Campbell after he was drafted last April.

“‘Sisi,’ what do you want to tell Jaxson Dart about how you’ll help protect him on this Giants O-Line?” ESPN host Laura Rutledge asked him as he stepped on the stage.

“I’ll die about this [expletive], man,” he replied. “Man, I’m ready to die for you, man. I know a lot of things [have] happened, but I’m ready to die for you, bro.”

Dart, also a first-round pick by the Giants last season, was inspired by Mauigoa’s words.

“I was fired up hearing what he said on draft night,” Dart told ESPN’s Jordan Raanan on Tuesday. “That goes the same for me. I play with everything I’ve got for my teammates each time I’m out there on the field, and I know he’s gonna do the exact same.”

A native of Ili’ili, American Samoa, Mauigoa played his high school ball at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where he was a consensus five-star prospect and the 6th-ranked prospect in the nation, according to 247Sports.

Mauigoa committed to the University of Miami in 2023 and won a starting job as a true freshman. In his freshman season, he started all 13 games at right tackle, won a Freshman All-America nod, and was an honorable mention for the All-ACC team. In his sophomore year, he started all 13 games again and won a Second Team All-ACC nomination.

He had a decorated junior campaign in 2025, including First Team All-ACC and All-America selections and the ACC Jacobs Blocking Trophy Winner.

He had a stellar performance against Syracuse, earning ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week and Outland Trophy National Player of the Week; he also scored a touchdown on a tackle screen in the fourth quarter.

The Giants, however, plan to kick Mauigoa inside to right guard. He will have to compete with veteran Daniel Faalele, a physical specimen at 6-foot-8 and 370 pounds and a veteran of head coach John Harbaugh, having been drafted by Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens in 2022. The Giants’ own 2022 draft pick, Evan Neal, will also compete for the spot.

Mauigoa is ready for the transition.

“I’m a resource,” Mauigoa said, via the Giants’ website.

“Whatever they need me at, I’ll do it. … I’ve been practicing throughout my whole college career at the University of Miami. We’ve been doing cross-training. [University of Miami assistant head coach/offensive line] Coach [Alex] Mirabal did a great job with putting me at guard on both sides, left and right, just so I can understand how guards operate and what they do and stuff like that. So, I’ve been getting a lot of reps when I was in training, though.”

Quarterbacks Welcome New Bodyguards

Mauigoa’s comments echo a similar sentiment made by New England Patriots left tackle Will Campbell when he was drafted fourth overall in the 2025 Draft.

“I’m gonna fight and die to protect him [Patriots quarterback Drake Maye] with everything I got,” Campbell told NFL Network’s Jamie Erdahl as he stepped onto the stage.

Campbell elaborated on that sentiment in a post-draft press conference.

“As a left tackle, or an offensive lineman in general, it’s my job to protect the quarterback, along with the rest of the guys,” he said. “Any of those guys…that are on that offensive line are going to do everything they can to keep number 10 upright and protect them with everything…they have.”

And like Dart, Campbell’s enthusiasm fired up Maye.

“I listened to it live,” Maye said. “Man, this gets you going, gets your juices going. [It] makes you want to go out there and play football now,” he said.

“[I’m] pumped that we picked Will, and we got a chance to meet him when he came in on Friday. [I’m] pumped to get things going, and obviously, he seems like a football player. That’s what you want around here.”