Miami football among top 6 2023 linebacker hauls

Clint Brewster of 247 Sports included the Miami football program among “The top overall position hauls (recruits and transfers) in 2023: Linebacker.” Miami signed four-star LBs Raul Aguirre, Malik Bryant and Bobby Washington plus three-star 2023 signees Kaleb Spencer and Marcellius Pulliam.

Bryant, Spencer and Washington are early enrollees. Aguirre and Pulliam will arrive later this summer. Spencer is projected to eventually move to safety. Miami could elect to develop Spencer in the hybrid LB/defensive back role of scout. The addition of Washington State transfer LB Francisco Mauigoa will have a huge impact.

Mauigoa has reportedly received most of the first team reps during spring practice. At 6’3, 230 pounds Mauigoa is a big, productive LB. Mauigoa has the experience and skill to develop into an All-ACC player in 2023. Miami needs Mauigoa to anchor a Miami run defense that allowed over 200 yards in four of the last six games in 2022.

Brewster focused on Aguirre, Bryant and Mauigoa in profiling the new Miami LBs. Washington is worth watching. Throughout the spring Washington has been mentioned as being an impressive player who could be ready to contribute as a true freshman. Bryant will be a player to watch in the spring game on Friday night.

"MIAMI HURRICANESIncoming: 4-star transfer Francisco Mauigoa (92), 4-star LB recruit Malik Bryant (90), 4-star LB recruit Raul Aguirre (90)The Hurricanes landed the third-best transfer portal linebacker in the 2023 cycle with Washington State transfer Francisco Mauigoa. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound backer is originally from Samoa and spent three seasons as Washington State. In 2022 he put up 60 tackles, 2.5 sacks, forced three fumbles, and a 95-yard pick-six.Mauigoa has the instincts, experience, and play-making ability to step in right away for Miami and fill a starting role. His brother is five-star 2023 ‘Canes signee Francis Mauigoa. Miami also inked four-star linebacker Malik Bryant from Jones High School in Orlando.Bryant is the No. 16 overall linebacker in the cycle according to the 247Sports Composite and the No. 38 player in Florida. Bryant has great ability to come off the edge and rush the passer in high school but also looked good in coverage.He’s still a raw player with much upside and needs to find exactly what position fits him best in college, but he has all the tools to blossom into a multi-year starter.Fayetteville (GA) Whitewater linebacker Raul Aguirre is the No. 20 linebacker in the country and the No. 202 ranked player overall. Aguirre was one the more highly-touted prospects at linebacker with offers from Florida, Alabama, Ohio State, and Texas, in addition to Miami.Aguirre is physical inside the tackles and also very good out in space when he breaks down to make a tackle. Aguirre has college-ready size and strength that will help him get on the field quickly.”"

Washington is the 431st-ranked prospect in the 2023 class, 37th LB and 78th in Florida, Spencer is 669th, 58th and 17th and Pulliam 755th, 64th and 72nd. The Miami football program has significantly upgraded the talent and depth with the six new LBs on the 2023 roster. The Hurricanes will have far more size at LB this fall.

Sophomore Wesley Bissainthe impressed as a true freshman in 2022 and is projected to start with Mauigoa at LB. Expect Aguirre and Bryant to compete with returning starting middle LB Corey Flagg. All of the LBs currently listed on the Miami football roster have at least two years of eligibility remaining except Keontra Smith.

Smith has started in the past and provides Miami with the versatility to play the scout position as a former safety. Miami has a good mix of experience and young talent on the roster. Even though he doesn’t arrive until summer Aguirre will be a player to watch in August training came. The future is bright for Miami LBs.