Francisco Mauigoa praises young Miami football linebackers

Francisco Mauigoa praised young Miami linebackers Raul Aguirre and Cameron Pruitt during his meeting with media on Thursday. Aguirre and Pruitt are part of a talented and young Miami LB corps. Mauigoa is the only senior LB on the Miami roster. Expect many of the young LBs to receive significant snaps in 2024.

Mauigoa led Miami with 82 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, tied for the team lead with 7.5 sacks and added one interception, three pass breakups, seven quarterback hits and two forced fumbles. Junior Wesley Bissainthe who has been out with an injury this spring returns as a starter at LB next to Mauigoa.

Aguirre has had significant first snaps during spring practice at middle linebacker with Mauigoa out with a shoulder injury. Aguirre played all 13 games as a true freshman in 2023 with seven tackles and a 0.5 TFL. With three LBs who received significant snaps in 2023 departed, expect Aguirre to receive far more playing time in 2024.

Aguirre also spoke to reporters after practice on Tuesday. The sophomore LB praised what he has learned from Mauigoa and his position coach Derek Nicholson. Aguirre discussed the departure of K.J. Cloyd for the NFL Draft and Corey Flagg as a transfer to Missouri giving him an opportunity this fall.

"Popo has been, has grew up like fast. Like it was a blink of an eye. He was last
year a freshman and feels like he's been here for a while. He's grown up. He made some big steps of being mature and and being a really good leader. He's doing a lot of good things in classrooms. He's being a really good leader for the football team and he's showing up every play. You take that film. You see that film. He been around the ball so he been doing really great."

- Miami LB Francisco Mauigoa

Aguirre appears to be the first of a strong 2023 Miami LB class to get on the field. Mauigoa praised 2024 Miami LB signee Cameron Pruitt and Bobby Washington from the class of 2023. Rising sophomore LB Marcellius Pulliam is another LB to watch for Miami. Mauigoa also praised Nicholson for developing the Miami LBs.

"Cameron PR has been showing up really fat. We're good, he's (a) really smart, very instinctive kid, very Twitchy and you know put those talents in the hands of Coach D Nick he going to put it to right use. Bobby Washington showing up, all those guys are going to you know make a big impact for this football team."

- Miami LB Francisco Mauigoa

Miami has upgraded the roster in the first two full classes under Mario Cristobal. Expect the young LBs to make an impact in 2024. Miami will be able to rely on the experience of Bissainthe and Mauigoa with a young LB starting next to them. With Mauigoa and potentially Bissainthe gone after 2024, the future is bright for Miami at LB.