Miami football has significantly improved LB length
The Miami football program has significantly improved its length at linebacker entering the 2023 season. All five freshmen plus Washington State transfer Francisco Mauigoa are at least 6’2. None of the LBs in the 2022 Miami rotation were 6’2. Mauigoa is a projected starter and the freshmen have a bright future.
At 6’3 and 230 pounds Mauigoa will provide the Miami football program with a big presence in the middle of its defense in 2023. Mauigoa had a breakout season for Washington State in 2022 with 60 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one interception for a pick-six.
Mauigoa is expected to start next to 6’1 and 205-pound sophomore Wesley Bissainthe. Bissainthe played in all 12 games as a true freshman in 2022 and started in the final three contests. Bissainthe recorded 30 tackles in 2022. In the last three games of 2022, Bissianthe had 16 tackles that included eight versus Clemson.
Corey Flagg who was the primary starting MLB for Miami in 2022 is 5’11 and 230 pounds. Flagg will be the primary backup for Mauigoa in 2023. Flagg had 56 tackles,10.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks and one pass breakup in 2022. Flagg has to improve on 12 missed tackles and the 17.4 missed tackle percentage that he had in 2022.
Miami Football 2023 LB commits and transfers
- Raul Aguirre 6-2.5, 210
- Malik Bryant 6-2, 225 pounds
- Francisco Mauigoa 6-3, 230 pounds
- Marcellius Pulliam 6-3, 215
- Kaleb Spencer 6-2.5, 210
- Bobby Washington, Jr. 6-3 220 pounds
Aguirre, Bryant and Washington are four-star 2023 signees. Spencer is expected to move to safety or in the hybrid star position in the system under new Miami defensive coordinator Lance Guidry. Pulliam is more of a long-term prospect. Chase Smith and Keontra Smith are the projected backup LBs with Flagg in 2023.
Next. Miami among top 6 2023 LB hauls. dark
Mario Cristobal has clearly made LB in general and length at the position priorities in the 2023 class. Expect that to continue in the future. The Hurricanes have a commitment from 2024 three-star 6-1, 205-pound LB Vincent Shavers from Miami Central. Miami should have increased production and talent at LB in 2023.