UCLA transfer LB Caleb Johnson potential Miami football fit
A few days after a report the Miami football team expected to add one or two transfer linebackers Caleb Johnson of UCLA entered the transfer portal. Johnson started 17 of the 18 games he played in two seasons with UCLA. Johnson was sixth on the Bruins in tackles in 2021. Recent Miami signee Mitchell Agude was second.
Agude played LB in the UCLA 3-4 defense, but projects as a defensive end in the Miami 4-3. Johnson was an inside LB for UCLA and would project at the position for Miami. Johnson was a Junior College transfer to UCLA from Fullerton College in the Class of 2020. Johnson originally played for Texas.
In two seasons at UCLA, Johnson had 89 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two interceptions, three pass breakups and one fumble recovery. All of the TFLs and sacks came during the 2020 season. Johnson was graded at 0.8669 from 247 Sports as a J.C. transfer to UCLA in 2020.
The talent grade would rank in the middle of the LBs on the Miami football roster. Miami returning starting middle LB Corey Flagg led the Hurricanes with 60 tackles, had seven TFLs, three sacks and one interception last season. Waynmon Steed was second on Miami with 55 tackles and had 3.5 TFLs and one sack.
Johnson will have one season of eligibility remaining. At 6’1, 230 pounds, Johnson would be the biggest LB on the Miami roster. Flagg is 5’11, 230 and currently weighs the most of the Miami LBs. Johnson had reportedly lost snaps as a first-team LB for UCLA this spring. The Bruins added Hawaii transfer Darius Muasau.
Johnson would be the eighth transfer and fifth defensive player Miami has added during the 2022 offseason. In addition to Agude, Miami has added DL Jacob Lichtenstein and Antonio Moultrie and cornerback Darryl Porter Jr. on defense. Miami has also added three transfers to their offense.
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Offensive lineman Logan Sagapolu, running back Henry Parrish and wide receiver Frank Ladson. Earlier this week, head coach Mario Cristobal stated that he will always look for talent than can improve the Miami football roster no matter how deep the Hurricanes are at any given position.