Miami 2025 linebacker signee Kellen Wiley was named by Chris Hummer of 247Sports to "The All-Impact Team: College football's 2025 recruits who could play right away." The departure of Miami starting middle LB Francisco Mauigoa is one reason Hummer provides Wiley having an opportunity to play immediately.
Wiley is the ninth-highest-rated 2025 Miami signee and the fourth on defense. Edge rushers Hayden Lowe and Herbert Scroggins and safety Bryce Fitzgerald are the only 2025 Miami signees ranked ahead of Wiley. Many other outlets have projected Lowe with a chance to make an immediate impact as a freshman.
Wiley is the No. 246 ranked prospect in the 247Sports 2025 composite rankings, the No. 27 linebacker and the No. 40 player in Florida out of Seffner Armwood. Miami 2025 running back signee Girard Pringle Jr. who is the second-ranked in the Hurricanes' class and top offensive prospect was Wiley's Armwood teammate.
As a senior in 2024, Wiley had 75 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, 4.0 quarterback hurries, two interceptions, two passes defended, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Mauigoa had 96 tackles, 11.0 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, one forced fumble, six passes defended and an interception in 2024.
"KELLEN WILEY, MIAMI LBChris Hummer, 247Sports.
Top247 rank: No. 30 LB
There's an open spot atop Miami's linebacker depth chart with Francisco Mauigoa moving on. And while there is some experience already in the room, there's an opportunity for someone like Kellen Wiley to emerge as an instant contributor.
The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder has the size and ability to play on- and off-ball linebacker. He's a high-upside player with the athletic ability to get on the field quickly and contribute to a defense that could use a boost."
Miami returns Wesley Bissaithe at LB entering his fourth season as a starter. New Miami defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman plays a 4-2-5 system. Hetherman will need to only develop one LB next to the far more experienced Bissainthe who can mentor his partner in the middle of the Miami defense.
Wiley has impressive size for a freshman and should continue to develop mass in the nearly seven months before Miami opens the season versus Notre Dame. Rising sophomore Cam Pruitt should be expected as the leader to earn the other starting LB job entering spring practice next month.
Andrew Ivins, the Director of Scouting for 247Sports stated in his scouting report Wiley can play on-ball and off-ball and is "Athletic enough to handle drop-coverage responsibilities and will keep his eyes on the quarterback in hopes of cutting down scramble lanes."
Mario Cristobal and his staff have built the Miami roster from the lines of scrimmage out. Linebacker has been a point of emphasis in the last two Miami classes. Adarius Hayes, who signed with Pruitt in the 2024 class, and Wiley are players to watch this spring heading into the 2025 season.