Miami football gains second highest ranked 2022 commit LB Wesley Bissainthe

The Miami football program added its second-biggest 2022 commit with four-star linebacker Wesley Bissainthe giving his verbal pledge on Saturday. Bissanthe is the second-highest ranked commit in the 2022 Miami class. Four-star cornerback Khamauri Rogers is the only 2022 Miami commit ranked higher than Bissainthe.

The Miami football program was able to land the commitment from Bissainthe despite late 247 Sports Crystal Balls projected the Miami Central star would commit to archrival Florida State. The 2022 Miami recruiting class moved up 56th nationally with the commitment from Bissainthe. Miami has only nine commitments.

Bissainthe will become the most talented pure LB on the Miami roster when he joins the Hurricanes in 2022. Gilbert Frierson who signed with Miami as a cornerback and Keontra Smith was originally a safety and is now a LB are graded higher than Bissainthe according to the 247 Sports composite rankings.

The commitment from Bissainthe is a huge boost to a Miami LB corps that needs to improve the production and talent at the position. Bissainthe chose Miami over Penn State and West Virginia in addition to Florida State. Name, image and likeness played a role in Bissainthe’s decision as he said it gives him a chance to expand his brand.

Bissainthe also told 247 that he plans to honor his commitment to Miami no matter what happens with the coaching staff. Rumors are swirling that Miami could replace head coach Manny Diaz with Mario Cristobal of Oregon over the next few days. Per 247 strikers coach, Ismael Aristide gets primary credit for Bissainthe’s commitment.

Bissainthe is the 196th ranked player, the 20th rated LB and 23rd in Florida in the Class of 2022. The commitment from Bissainthe was big as the first pledge for 2022 from South Florida. He will team with defensive tackle Leonard Taylor and safeties Kam Kinchens and James Williams on a young, talented 2022 Miami defense.

Gabe Brooks of 247 praised Bissainthe as a prototypical modern linebacker who can stay on the field for all three downs. Bissainthe thrives playing in space but per Books has “impressive pursuit conviction” and the ability to rush the passer, stop the run and be used in pass coverage. Bissainthe is a critical addition to Miami.