UCLA transfer Mitchell Agude joins Miami football because of staff NFL experience
The Miami football team added another player on the defensive line with a commitment from UCLA transfer Mitchell Agude on Friday. Agude played linebacker at UCLA but projects as a defensive end at Miami. Agude has 78 career tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three pass breakups and six fumble recoveries.
One reason Agude chose Miami was the presence of former NFL defensive linemen Joe Salave’a, Jason Taylor and Rod Wright on the Miami football staff. Salave’a is the Miami defensive tackle coach, Wright the defensive end coach and Taylor is an analyst. Agude has one season of college eligibility remaining.
The success of former Miami DL Jaelan Phillips after transferring from UCLA also influenced Agude. Agude was a was three-star junior college prospect when he signed with UCLA in 2020. Miami beat out Oregon, Tennessee and Washington for the commitment from Agude. Agude is the seventh transfer to sign with Miami for 2022.
Miami has added former West Virginia cornerback Daryl Porter, USC defensive linemen Jake Lichtenstein and Antonio Moultrie from UAB, Oregon offensive lineman Logan Sagapolu, Mississippi running back Henry Parrish and Clemson wide receiver Frank Ladson. Most should make an impact in 2022.
Im committed the U @CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/dutS5qQ25t
— Mitchell Agude (@OfficialAgude) March 25, 2022
Agude had a stellar 2021 season with 55 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, two sacks, two pass breakups, one fumble recovery and four forced fumbles. The Pac 12 named Agude as a second-team all defensive lineman in 2021. The additions on the DL for Miami who doesn’t have a lot of experience returning up front.
Moultrie projects for Miami at defensive tackle likely backing up Jared Harrison-Hunte and Leonard Taylor. Lichtenstein is expected to be a swing DL who can play end and tackle. Agude will compete to be a starter with returning edge rushers, Jahfari Harvey and Chantz Williams. Miami has to improve its pass rush in 2022.
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Miami finished 37th nationally in 2021 averaging 2.75 sacks per game. Graduates Zach McCloud with 5.5 sacks in 2022 and Deandre Johnson with 4.5 led Miami in sacks last season. Williams had 2.5 and Harvey two sacks in 2021. Agude will be expected to create more havoc in opponent backfields for Miami.