Spring Football Position Previews: Linebackers

Wesley Bissainthe Jr., would burst onto the scene as arguably one of college football’s very best freshmen linebackers in the country during the 2022 season, in addition to LSU’s Harold Perkins. According to Pro Football Focus 2022 season grades, Bissainthe Jr., was one of the two best in the country as a newcomer.

The sophomore outside linebacker now enters his second spring practice as a Miami Hurricane and the linebackers room is now just a bit more crowded with talent. Two blue-chipper freshmen have joined the fray in Malik Bryant and Bobby Washington Jr., and a fourth-year veteran in Corey Flagg Jr. is returning at middle linebacker.

For Flagg Jr. on the other hand, competition is going to be very tough this time around during the spring. Miami dipped into the transfer portal and landed former Washington State linebacker, Francisco Mauigoa, the older brother of class of 2023 Miami signee and 5-star recruit, Francis Mauigoa.

Francisco Mauigoa, recorded 66 tackles, five and a half tackles-for-loss, three and a half sacks, three forced fumbles and returned an interception over 60-yards for a touchdown during the 2022 season. While Flagg Jr, had a solid performance last season, by way of recording 56 tackles, ten and a half tackles-for-loss and two and a half sacks.

The Hurricanes latest trend in terms of linebackers they have brought into the football program since Mario Cristobal’s arrival, they tend to be linebackers with more mass and length. Flagg Jr., stands at five-foot-eleven for a linebacker and while he plays well when going downhill and has good instincts, he does not possesses the prototype length. That factor could lead way to a fierce competition at the middle linebacker position this spring, between Flagg Jr. and Francisco Mauigoa.

Fifth-year linebacker, Keontra Smith, will attempt to carve out a role in the rotation and while many fans have high expectations for third-year linebacker, Chase Smith, he will not be a full participant this spring as he is nursing an injury he sustained during the 2022 season on special teams.

Between an injury withholding one returning linebacker from participating this spring and what the Miami coaching staff views as their ideal size and length for linebackers in their defensive system. Linebackers like transfer Francisco Mauigoa, and freshmen in Malik Bryant and Bobby Washington Jr, could shake up the room and a new pecking order among the linebackers could come into place before spring football concludes in April.