Miami football staff has remade linebacking unit for future
The Miami football program has signed or received commitments from four linebackers since last December. Four Miami LBs have entered the transfer portal since November. Miami needed to upgrade their talent and size at LB. Only two LBs remain on the roster from the last three classes to sign with Miami.
Corey Flagg who signed with Miami in 2020 led the Hurricanes with 60 tackles last season. Waynmon Steed was a 2018 Miami signee and finished second on the Hurricanes with 55 tackles in 2021. Miami added UCLA transfer Caleb Johnson during the offseason who will challenge to be the starter at middle LB.
True freshman Wesley Bissainthe is the highest-rated LB on the 2022 Miami roster. Raul Aguirre who committed to Miami on Tuesday in the 2023 class is higher rated than any current Miami LB. Malik Bryant is trending to Miami in the Class of 2023 and will make his announcement on July 23 is higher rated than Aguirre.
Gilbert Frierson and Keontra Smith who signed with the Miami football program as defensive backs could start at LB or the new star position this season. Frierson and Smith have previously played striker under the previous Miami coaching staff. Frierson and Smith are both 6’1 and under 220 pounds.
Miami linebackers coach and co-DC Charlie Strong in Wesley Bissainthe. pic.twitter.com/w5Eoh1ZeLy
— Adam Lichtenstein (@ABLichtenstein) March 24, 2022
Flagg is 5’11, 230 and Steed 6’0 225. Bissaithe needs to fill out currently listed at 6’1, 205 pounds on the official Miami website. Aguirre at 6’2 220 and Bryant at 6’2, 235 provide Miami with good bulk for the future at LB. Bryant could have to reconfigure his body transitioning from edge rusher.
Miami has not had consistent LB play since Michael Pinckney and Shaq Quarterman completed their eligibility in 2019. The additions Miami has made for 2022 and will make in 2023 at LB should help the Hurricanes improve play in the middle of their defense. The coaching changes on defense should also help Miami improve at LB.
Next. Miami trending for LB Bryant with July 23 commitment. dark
Longtime coaches Kevin Steele and Charlie Strong were hired by Mario Cristobal to be the Miami co-defensive coordinators. Strong will also coach LBs. Miami will lose Johnson and Steed at the end of the 2022 season. Expect Miami to look to the transfer portal during the 2023 offseason to add more LB depth and talent.