UCLA transfer linebacker Mitchell Agude who the Miami football team projects at defensive end will be a critical visit for the Hurricanes next week. Matt Zenitz of On3.Com reported on Wednesday that Agude will visit Miami next week. Agude will compete to be a starting edge rusher for Miami in 2022.
Agude was a junior college transfer to UCLA in January 2020. In two seasons with the Bruins, Agude played in 19 games with 15 starts. Agude had 78 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three pass breakups, one fumble recovery and six forced fumbles in two seasons with the Bruins.
Jahfari Harvey and Chantz Williams project as the starting DEs for Miami one week into spring practice. Harvey has 43 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, one interception returned for a touchdown, one pass breakup and one forced fumble in three seasons with Miami. Harvey is a fourth-year redshirt sophomore entering 2022.
Williams is entering his third year in the Miami football program sophomore eligible. In two seasons, Williams has 18 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks and two pass breakups. Agude has been a far more productive player at UCLA than Harvey and Williams have been for Miami. Miami has to replace both DE starters from last season.
UCLA linebacker transfer Mitchell Agude will take an official visit to Miami next week.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) March 16, 2022
Agude posted 54 tackles last season and was a second-team All-Pac 12 selection.https://t.co/xWsWSZF8sP
Miami is competing with Oregon, Tennessee and Washington to sign Agude. Former Miami DE Jaelan Phillips who transferred from UCLA is reportedly pushing Agude to sign with the Hurricanes. Nikki Chavanelle of On3 reports that Agude would be able to participate in spring practice at Oregon or UCLA.
If Agude chooses Miami or Tennessee, he would have to wait until summer to enroll and participate in team workouts. Miami has had good success in recent years adding transfer DL. The Hurricanes also signed Chigozie Nnoruka at DL in 2019 with Phillips from UCLA. Trevon Hill and Quincy Roche started after transferring to Miami.
A lack of development on the defensive line has hindered Miami in recent years. Agude would likely become the best pass rusher on the Miami defense immediately. The Hurricanes signed top 15 edge rushers Nyjalik Kelly and Cyrus Moss in their 2022 Class. Expecting them to contribute immediately is asking a lot of true freshmen.