Wesley Bissainthe earned Miami football starting LB spot

During his weekly appearance on the Joe Rose Show on WQAM Mario Cristobal mentioned true freshman linebacker Wesley Bissainthe is now a starter. Bissainthe has improved throughout the Miami football season. In the last two games, Bissainthe has set career highs in tackles against Florida State and Georgia Tech.

Prior to the game against Florida State, Bissainthe had 10 tackles this season with a season-high of three in the 20-14 Miami win at Virginia Tech on October 15. Bissainthe exceeded his total at Virginia Tech with four tackles versus Florida State and six in the 35-14 win at Georgia Tech on Saturday.

Bissainthe was third on Miami versus Georgia Tech behind safety Kamren Kinchens with eight tackles and LB Caleb Johnson with seven. Bissainthe and Corey Flagg received the vast majority of LB snaps for Miami versus Georgia Tech. Bissainthe is the highest-rated LB on the Miami roster, slightly ahead of Keontra Smith.

Bissainthe and edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly have been the most productive freshmen on the Miami defense in 2022. Kelly has nine tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. Bissainthe was the fifth highest-rated defensive player in the 2022 Miami class, Kelly was first. Bissainthe should help anchor the Miami defense in the future.

Bissainthe was the only LB the Miami football program signed in the 2022 class. Miami has four LBs committed for 2023. Miami should have an experienced LB corps in 2023 depending on transfers. Waynmon Steed is the only senior LB on the Miami roster. Flagg projects to return with Bissainthe as the starting LBs.

Cristobal mentioned Bissainthe as instinctive and a high-level football player. Bissainthe and Flagg have given Miami stability at LB. Miami has lacked stability at LB in recent seasons. Expect a lot of roster movement for Miami during the 2023 off-season. Bissainthe has stood out during his true freshman season.