The linebacker position has been a position of need for the Hurricanes as they have struggled to recruit “Miami caliber” players. Last year, Mario Cristobal made sure to address the linebackers by bringing in standouts such as Malik Bryant, Raul Aguirre, and Bobby Washington. The four linebackers are all prototypical in size at least 6’2” and 220 lbs, and have elite speed. With sophomore Wesley Bissainthe and transfer Francisco Mauigoa also in the fold, the linebacker room is one of the most promising positions on the team. With the 2024 class in full swing, the Canes are set on adding even more playmakers at linebacker. Here are six top targets to keep an eye on for the Canes’ 2024 class:
TJ Capers
Capers is the 25th ranked overall player in the 247Sports composite. He is considered the best linebacker in the nation and hails from Columbus High School, which happens to be Mario Cristobal’s alma mater. Capers, who stands at 6’2” and 230lbs, runs a 4.6, 40 and a 4.5 short shuttle making him an elite backer that can both rush the passer and chase down running backs. Capers is versatile enough that he can project as both linebacker or defensive end at the next level, and can be used as a hybrid backer and end. Capers recently committed to the University of Louisville. Despite this early commitment, I do not expect Capers to stick with Louisville. I don’t see Cristobal losing a blue-chip player of this caliber from his high school and Miami is actively recruiting him. Cristobal wants to remake the LB room and landing a top player and placing him alongside Wesley Bissainthe, Raul Aguirre, and Malik Bryant will transform Miami’s LB room, once upon a time one of the weaknesses on the team, into one of the most talented groups in the nation.
Kyngstonn Viliamu- Asa
Viliamu- Asa is a highly versatile linebacker from national powerhouse St. John Bosco in California. Viliamu-Asa can play multiple positions within a defense despite primarily playing at the ILB position. He possesses a range of skills, including stopping the run, blitzing from the edge, and providing smooth coverage despite his size of 6’3” and 230 pounds. He has the speed to defend receivers and tight ends and is an intelligent player who plays with high energy on every play. Adding a monster like Viliamu-Asa and pairing him with a TJ Capers would give the Canes the foundation for the top LB group in the nation.
Dylan Williams
Another California standout from Long Beach Poly, is Dylan Williams. Williams is one of the top linebackers in the nation, and words such as” explosive” and “dynamic” have been used to describe him. He is another linebacker that possess elite speed and can play some edge at the next level. Williams recently included the Canes in his top seven list along with Oregon, Bama, Michigan, Texas, PSU, and UCLA. Williams, like Capers and Viliamu-Asa is a high priority target for the Canes.
Qua Birdsong
Birdsong is a linebacker that hails from Georgia and is a top 175 player and the 16th ranked linebacker in the nation according to the 247Sports composite. Birdsong recently named his top five list and the Canes are firmly in his top five and are currently in a great spot to land his services. Birdsong is 6’2” and weighs 195lbs, he will need to add some more weight at the college level to see playing time, something that a good S/C program can take care of. He will be visiting Miami on an unofficial visit on April 6th.
Chris Cole
Cole stands at 6’3” and 210 lbs and hails from Salem, Virginia. Cole has family ties to Rohan Marley and is expected to visit this week. Cole is a three-star prospect who dominated the GameDay Series camp, displaying great coverage and tackling ability. Cole has 17 offers that so far include Miami, Texas A&M, Georgia, FSU, Virginia Tech and Auburn.
Keyshawn Flowers
Flowers is a 3- star linebacker from the state of Maryland that is well liked by the Canes. The 6’2”, 215lb standout is another prototypical linebacker that fits the same mold size wise as the 2023 batch of linebackers recruited by Cristobal. Flowers has 24 offers which include the likes of Miami, Bama, USC, PSU, Michigan State and Notre Dame. Flowers had a disruptive junior season finishing with 81 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, five sacks and two forced fumbles. Flowers was named by the Baltimore-Sun to the First Team- All Metro Defense as a junior for his accomplishments on the field. Flowers visited the Canes this past weekend, and the whole staff, especially LB coach Derek Nicholson made him feel like a priority.
What the new batch of linebackers have in common with the 2023 class, is Mario Cristobal’s focus on linebackers that are at least 6’2″ and will play at around 225lbs by the time they start their first year of college. The linebackers now being recruited by the Canes, are long, fast, strong, and athletic. For years the linebacker play included 5’10″ or 5’11″ type players that were too slow to play at Miami. With the 2023 class and the 2024 class, the Canes are set to fundamentally transform the linebacker position for years to come.
