Post-Spring Analysis: Miami Hurricanes LB position has solid returning starters, young and inexperienced depth

With Miami’s 15 spring practices in the rearview mirror, it’s worth taking a position by position look at where things stand, and today we are breaking down the linebacker position:

PROJECTED MIAMI LB DEPTH CHART

WLB First team Wesley Bissainthe, second team Chase Smith

MLB First team Francisco Mauigoa, second team Popo Aguirre

SLB First team Cam Pruitt, second team Bobby Washington

QB position breakdown … RB breakdown … WR breakdown … TE breakdown … OL breakdown … DL breakdown

POST-SPRING ANALYSIS

Returning starters Francisco Mauigoa and Wesley Bissainthe make this a strong position … while Mauigoa missed spring off injury he showed his playmaking last year, and Bissainthe looked like he was quicker to the ball and more assertive this spring. The issue here is the depth behind them. Gone are Corey Flagg (392 reps), KJ Cloyd (394 reps) and up-and-down veteran Keontra Smith (87 reps). So the most returning reps you see are all of 38 from true freshman Raul Aguirre. It was Aguirre, true freshman Cam Pruitt and oft-injured Chase Smith as the main guys besides Bissainthe this spring with Mauigoa missing. So the depth guys showing out is going to be key for Miami this fall … and the Canes are also trying to supplement the depth with the addition of Louisville transfer Jaylin Alderman, who is visiting this weekend.

A LOOK UNDER THE HOOD

Mauigoa joins DE Rueben Bain as the top two returning defensive players. After arriving from Washington State last year, Mauigoa ended with a team-high 82 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and seven quarterback hurries (per the official stats) while tying Rueben Bain for the team lead in sacks with 7.5. Per Pro Football Focus he had a solid 71.3 percent grade (78.1 run defense grade, 71.9 tackle grade, 70.6 pass rush grade, 57.9 cover grade). PFF noted him allowing 19 of 33 receptions when targeted for 186 yards, and he had 10 missed tackles. Given his playmaking overall, it was big news that he opted to return.

As for Bissainthe? After a solid freshman 2022 season in which he flashed at the end, he began last year on the bench behind KJ Cloyd (who had transferred in as a senior from Louisville). Bissainthe won back the starting job in game 4 and never gave it back. He ended the season with 44 tackles, 6.5 TFL and two sacks, so a bit up-and-down. His PFF grades? Not great. After he had a 64.5 grade in 276 reps as a freshman he graded out at 61.8 percent this past season (67.3 run defense grade, 71.2 tackle grade, 58.7 pass rush grade, 56.7 cover grade). PFF noted him with 10 QB hurries, allowing 13 of 15 receptions when targeted for 166 yards, and missing five tackles. So he needs to get some better consistency and playmaking in Year 3. He did look solid this spring.

The young guys also flashed, and coaches are very high on Pruitt being able to emerge in Year 1. He has great instincts, speed and physicality. We also feel good about Aguirre’s progress, and there are other young guys here looking to step up like Bobby Washington and Marcellius Pulliam. So while there may not be a lot of returning reps aside from Mauigoa and Bissainthe, we feel good about this position.

THE BOTTOM LINE

As stated above, you have to feel good about Mauigoa and Bissainthe as returners, and if Miami has a couple of young guys step up then this room can excel. Given the young talent Mario Cristobal has amassed at the position you have to think that will happen. But the bottom line right now is that only one linebacker has proven he can play at a consistently high level, and that’s Mauigoa. Bissainthe struggled at the start of last year and wasn’t a consistent impact guy, and the rest of the linebacker roster is all first- and second-year guys outside of Chase Smith, who has barely played in his three years. So there is top end potential, young potential, but also some question marks that need answering. Which is a reason UM is pursuing Alderman in the portal.

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