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Miami has highest graded LB unit nationally through 6 weeks

Pro Football Focus gives the Miami linebacking unit the best grade nationally through the first six weeks of the 2024 season.

By Alan Rubenstein

Sep 27, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies running back Bhayshul Tuten (33) runs with the football as Miami Hurricanes linebacker Wesley Bissainthe (31), linebacker Francisco Mauigoa (1) and linebacker Malik Bryant (24) pull him down during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Sep 27, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies running back Bhayshul Tuten (33) runs with the football as Miami Hurricanes linebacker Wesley Bissainthe (31), linebacker Francisco Mauigoa (1) and linebacker Malik Bryant (24) pull him down during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Led by Wesley Bissainthe and Francis Mauigoa, Miami was named the best linebacking unit nationally through the first six games of the 2024 season by Pro Football Focus. Mauigoa and Bissainthe are the two leading tacklers for Miami this season. Miami is 30th nationally allowing 18.8 points per game and 17th permitting 282.5 yards per game.

Mauigoa leads Miami with 32 tackles and three pass breakups while also contributing five tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception and a forced fumble. Bissainthe is second on Miami with 27 tackles, two TFLs and one interception. In 4-2-5 defense played by Lance Guidry, Bissainthe and Mauigoa receive most of the LB snaps.

Mauigoa had a season high 11 tackles and added one TFL and one sack in the 50-15 Miami win at South Florida. Bissainthe has six tackles in a game three times this year to tie his season high and it is the second most he has had in a contest during his career. Bissainthe is on pace for a career-high in tackles in 2024.

With Bissainthe and Mauigoa anchoring the middle of the Miami defense, the Hurricanes are 13th nationally allowing 89.67 rushing yards per game and 31st holding opponents to 3.32 yards per carry. Miami is 42nd with opponents averaging 192.8 passing yards per game and 28th allowing 6.2 yards per attempt.

"Linebacker Unit
Power Four: Miami (FL) Hurricanes – 90.2
Miami’s linebacker unit is second in the nation with a 91.5 coverage grade this season. It’s also one of only three FBS linebacker units with an 80-plus grade both in coverage and in run defense. Wesley Bissainthe is above 80.0 in both categories, one of two linebackers in the country to accomplish that feat."

- Max Chadwick, Pro Football Focus

Per David Lake of Inside the U, Mauigoa is 15th on Miami with a 74.2 PFF grade and Bissainthe is fifth with an 81.9 grade through the first six games of the season. Per Lake, Mauigoa has excelled with 13 pressure on 39 attempts as a blitzer. Mauigoa needs to improve in pass coverage allowing 13 receptions for 114 yards.

Next. Two Miami players On3 2024 Midseason True Freshman All-Americans. Two Miami players On3 2024 Midseason True Freshman All-Americans. dark

Bissainthe has been exceptional in pass coverage allowing 13 receptions for 47 yards. Defensive lineman Rueben Bain who has only played in two games due to injury and Mauigoa were both named preseason All-ACC. With his play halfway through the 2024 season, Bissainthe is also making his case for All-ACC.

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