Miami adding depth at linebacker in 2025 class

Three-star prospects Ezekiel Marcelin and Kellen Wiley add depth to the Miami roster as signees in the 2025 class. Marcelin and Wiley will help replace outgoing LBs Jaylin Alderman and Francisco Mauigoa. Miami returns Raul Aguirre, Wesley Bissainthe, Cameron Pruitt and Chase Smith who received snaps at LB in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

Miami also returns Adarius Hayes and Bobby Washington at LB in 2025. Mauigoa led Miami with 96 tackles and 11.0 tackles for loss, while contributing 2.0 sacks, one interception, five pass breakups, five quarterback hits and a forced fumble in 2024. Mauigoa will be a difficult player to replace after two productive seasons.

Bissainthe had 59 tackles, 5.0 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, one interception, one PBU and one QBH in 2024. There has been some speculation thatBissainthe will move to Mauigoa's vacated middle LB spot in 2025. Miami has added transfer LBs to add depth in each of the last two offseasons.

Bissainthe was a rarity by earning significant snaps as a freshman LB in 2022. Mario Cristobal has shown that he is willing to play freshmen in key roles in other positions. Marcelin and Wiley will have to earn playing time in 2025. They seem more like developmental players.

Marcellin is the 505th-ranked prospect, 55th linebacker and 68th player in Florida in the 2025 class out of Miami Central. Marcellin is the only LB in the 2025 Miami class. In his high school career, Marcellin recorded 253 tackles, 51.0 TFLs, 24.0 sacks. one interception, 3.0 passed defended, one fumble recovery and six forced.

Wiley is a late addition to the 2025 Miami class. A high school teammate of 2025 Miami running back signee Girard Pringle Jr., Wiley is the 325th-ranked prospect, 36th LB and 45th player in Florida in the 2025 class. Miami reportedly beat out Florida and Texas to sign Wiley. Wiley is a big LB at 6'4 and 220 pounds.