2022 Canes Recruiting Profile: Wesley Bissainthe

Linebacker is near the top of the list when it comes to 2022 recruiting needs for the Hurricanes, and lucky for them, one of the nations top LB’s in this class is right in South Florida. Today, I'll be talking about 4-star OLB Wesley Bissainthe from Miami Central High School.

One of the best players in South Florida, Bissainthe helped Miami Central repeat as state champions this season, and formed one of the best linebacking duos in the country along with Terrence Lewis.

247 Sports has Bissainthe listed as the #8 outside linebacker for 2022, #12 player in Florida, and #104 player nationally.

What makes Bissainthe such an elite prospect at the linebacker position is his versatility. Not too often do you find a LB that can run with wide receivers and hold his own in coverage, be a sound tackler in the open field, and also rush the quarterback in blitzing situations. Bissainthe can play inside or outside the box and has 4.7 speed, making him a threat in almost every defensive situation.

Stats weren’t as clear during the 2020 season due to Covid, but as a sophomore in 2019, Bissainthe finished with 69 tackles, 19 TFLs, 7.5 sacks and 4 interceptions, as well as 4 interceptions. As a sophomore, Bissainthe earned first-team All-Dade honors by the Miami Herald.

After his most recent season as a junior, Bissainthe was named 2nd-team All-State by MaxPreps.

I’ve said this same thing over and over in these type of articles, but Bissainthe is the kind of linebacker you want to build your defense around in today’s up-tempo high scoring football. A player who can cover receivers like a DB, fly to the edge and contain the outside, as well as be a force blitzing the QB.

Miami fans keep barking about how UM needs to up their game when it comes to recruiting linebackers, Bissainthe is the type of player that does just that.

Bissainthe holds more than 20 scholarship offers, including schools like Alabama, Oregon, Florida and LSU, just to name a few. Many believed several months ago that this could be an in-state battle between the Gators, FSU and the Canes, though for a player as talented as Bissainthe, schools from all around the country are going to try and land him.

Manny Diaz has reportedly been very involved when it comes to recruiting Bissainthe, and the linebacker also attended UM’s Junior Day back last January on Miami’s campus.

For me, Bissainthe is in my top 5 when it comes to Canes targets for the 2022 cycle. I’ve been a fan of him since his sophomore year, and he’s only going to grow and develop throughout his senior season next fall. He’s a player that Miami will need to go hard after early on.