Wesley Bissainthe learning two LB spots for Miami (and happy to have Bain in front of him)
Linebacker Wesley Bissainthe’s light was more than just a flickering hint of what was to come last year for the Miami Hurricanes. It was brighter than that from only nine defensive snaps in his college debut in UM’s 70-13 season-opening win against Bethune-Cookman.
Coach Mario Cristobal said last September that coaches were “racing to get him as ready as possible on a daily basis; heck, on an hour-by-hour basis. That’s how impactful we think he can be.’’
Bissainthe, a sophomore now practicing at both the middle and outside linebacker positions, said he’s 6-2 and up to “around 215, 216 pounds” and by the Sept. 1 season opener against Miami of Ohio is “looking forward to getting to 222, 225.’’
Rising fourth-year junior Corey Flagg, the middle linebacker who started nine of 11 games in 2022, is recovering from a leg injury and expected to compete with Washington State transfer Francisco Mauigoa for the ‘23 starting job. Mauigoa, a third-year junior, is the older brother of UM five-star freshman early enrollee offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa.
Patience pays
Bissainthe’s mantra has seemingly been “patience” all along, and he again stressed its importance when he spoke to reporters on Saturday after Miami’s first spring practice.
“The biggest thing is just be patient with yourself,’’ said Bissainthe, who started the last three games of 2022 and finished with 30 tackles — 21 of them solo. “It’s going to come. Just take your time with it and it’s going to all fall in place. ...Right now I’m learning two positions, so I’m trying to have a balance of both.”
Bissainthe was one of the prizes of Cristobal’s first recruiting class in Coral Gables. A MaxPreps All-American at Miami Central, he was the No. 18 linebacker in the Class of 2022. Bissainthe shared 2021 Miami Herald Defensive Player of the Year honors with Central defensive end Rueben Bain, a nationally heralded current early enrollee at defensive end.
“Rueben is a dog,’’ Bissainthe said. “I’m just happy to have him with me again, right in front of me, just helping me to make plays.”
New opportunity
Bissainthe said last season ended “pretty rough” for the 5-7 Canes, and that it “just feels good to have another opportunity, another chance to get it right.’’
He said new defensive coordinator Lance Guidry “is an awesome guy’’ and is looking forward to executing the new defense that has the linebackers at this point “more in coverage.’’
“We’re able to do more,’’ he said.
Bissainthe described new outside linebackers coach Derek Nicholson as “a hype man.’’
“He gets you ready to practice,’’ Bissainthe said. “Looking forward to spending the season with him.’’
This story was originally published March 8, 2023 at 3:59 PM.
