July Player Performance Index top 30 deep dive: No. 10 LB Wesley Bissainthe

CaneSport is breaking down the top 30 Miami players on the roster, and today we’re at No. 10, LB Wesley Bissainthe.

THE BIG PICTURE

Wesley Bissainthe was solid as a true freshman last season, earning the coaches’ trust as the year went along and starting the final three games of the year. While he didn’t turn in a lot of big plays (no tackles for loss) he started to display the athleticism, range and tackling that made him one of the nation’s most sought-after recruits in his class. So now, in Year 2, the hope is Bissainthe can make a bigger jump up and become a force roving around the Lance Guidry defense. Bissainthe didn’t really stand out in the spring, and coaches brought in KJ Cloyd in the second transfer portal window in part to light a fire under Bissainthe and bring some more competition to the OLB spot. But Bissainthe’s level of ability is undeniable and we see him having a big Year 2 at Miami.

THE ANALYSIS

Bissainthe has all the requisite skills to emerge as one of the ACC’s top OLB this season, but he’ll have to go hard every rep and really understand all the nuances of a complex Lance Guidry defense. A refresher on Bissainthe: A highly touted 4-star signee with Miami out of Miami Central High School in the Class of 2022, he had 30 tackles as a true freshman last year. While he didn’t have any tackle for losses or turnovers created, he did grade out at a decent 64.5 percent (70 is considered a good grade) per Pro Football Focus. That included a solid 72.7 run defense grade, 67.2 tackle grade, 52.4 pass rush grade and 61.4 cover grade. PFF noted four missed tackles on the year, with opponents targeting him 18 times in the passing game and completing 13 for a net of just 82 yards. Bissainthe is part of a linebackers room that struggled last year but which added Francisco Mauigoa and KJ Cloyd to the mix as transfers. Returners are Keontra Smith, Chase Smith and Corey Flagg, and there are four highly touted newcomers as well: Malik Bryant, Raul Aguirre, Bobby Washington and Marcellius Pulliam. So the linebacker position is stocked well for the future. And the team needs Bissainthe to take a step up in his development from last year and turn into a bigtime playmaker.

THE PROJECTION

Bissainthe played 276 reps last season and had no tackles for losses or interceptions or forced fumbles/fumble recoveries. We see that changing this year. He’ll be used more aggressively by Lance Guidry, and he has all the physical tools plus football instincts you want. He’s a guy that can push past 60 tackles and put up several sacks along with interceptions and 5+ tackles for loss. Miami didn’t have a real impact linebacker last year. This year they may have two if Bissainthe continues his trajectory in Year 2 and if Mauigoa continues to work at the high level we saw in spring ball.

THE JUMP HE NEEDS FROM SPRING TO FALL CAMP

Bissainthe didn’t have a really good spring, which perhaps is a bit of a red flag, but he’s got all the athleticism you want in a linebacker who can fit gaps and make plays. He also should be more mentally ready to attack the college game this year. With the expectation that Francisco Mauigoa starts in the middle since he looked well ahead of returning starter Corey Flagg, Bissainthe will still have to hold off charges from Flagg and Cloyd (who can both play MLB or OLB) and the team’s other linebackers in fall camp. Bissainthe needs to have a better fall camp than how he did in the spring, and we think he will step up to the challenge. It’s why we list him in our top 10 players heading into the season.

THE QUOTE

“I believe in coach (Mario) Cristobal, believe he’s one of the greatest coaches. So I’m going to put my trust in him, see what he’s trying to do here. I have no doubt in coach Cristobal, am ready to go to work with him.” –Wesley Bissainthe

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