The Return of LBU?: Miami makes significant upgrades at the position group

Miami fans can boastfully and rightfully say that the Hurricanes have produced the best linebacker of all time in Ray Lewis. Prior to Lewis, one of the more memorable trios of Michael Barrow, Darrin Smith, and Jesse Armstead helped Miami win championships in 1989 and 1991. During the early 2000s, Jonathan Vilma, and DJ Williams carried the "LBU" torch to help Miami win its 5th national championship.

In recent years, the trio of Shaquille Quarterman, Mike Pinckney, and Zach McCloud were productive but did not create the lore of the aforementioned linebackers.

In two years, Head Coach Mario Cristobal and his staff have revamped the linebacker room and it continues with the 2024 recruiting class. Miami's last commitment, Cameron Pruitt, fits the mold of what the staff is looking to create at the position group - big, physical, and versatile.

At 6'3" and 190 pounds, Pruitt can rush the passer and cover in space on a high level. Pruitt's ability to use his hands in both basketball and soccer as a goalkeeper makes him a quality prospect that Miami can mold into a top-tier college athlete. His best attribute - his physicality.

Much can also be said for Vincent Shavers, another physical linebacker with athletic versatility. Shavers played some running back prior to fully committing to linebacker so he has the ability to dart at ball carriers to make tackles.

Shavers also excels for one of the top seven-on-seven teams in the nation in Defcon1. His talent will be at the OT7 championships in California this weekend.

Miami is also making waves at linebacker via the transfer portal with the recent addition of KJ Cloyd. The 6'2" 229-pound backer is familiar with linebackers coach Derek Nicholson as both were at Louisville prior to arriving in Coral Gables. Cloyd was the 2nd-highest ranked outside linebacker in the nation coming out of high school in Mississippi.

Cloyd will join the team with projected starters Francisco Mauigoa and Wesley Bissainthe. That trio in itself will be a formidable group going forward as Bissainthe had an outstanding freshman season (appeared in 12 games and registered 30 tackles) and Mauigoa was arguably the best linebacker in the spring.

Miami also added high-level prospects in the 2023 cycle. Four-stars Malik Bryant and Bobby Washington impressed in the spring with their speed and athleticism and Raul "Popo" Aguirre and Marcellius Pulliam both have tremendous upside and will challenge for playing time in the fall.

The linebacker room suddenly has become a crowded one with veterans Corey Flagg and Keontra Smith also currently on the roster and athletic linebacker Chase Smith has yet to show what he can do as he battled injuries over the last year.

Miami is far from being referred to as "LBU" because the moniker resulted from putting linebackers in the NFL, but with the upgrade to the position group the Hurricanes have a great chance of reclaiming that title.

Quincy Roche (2021), Shaquille Quarterman (2020), and Denzel Perryman (2015) are the only linebackers drafted from Miami in the last decade.

Talk with Miami fans on Canes Talk, Inside Canes Hoops, and Canes on the Diamond

• Subscribe to the Canes County YouTube Channel

• Follow us on Twitter: @Canes_County, @BenjaminRivals, @TheCribSouthFLA, @AnthonyYero1, and @MichaelYero

• Follow us on Instagram: @Canes.County

Follow us on Facebook