Miami football perfect fit for UCLA transfer LB Mitchell Agude

Linebacker is the greatest position of need for the Miami football program. Being named as a finalist for UCLA transfer linebacker Mitchell Agude is a good start for Miami upgrading the depth and production at LB. In two years at UCLA, Agude has 78 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three pass breakups and six forced fumbles.

Corey Flagg led the Miami football team last season with 60 tackles and added seven TFLs and three sacks. At 6’4, 245 pound, Agude would provide Miami with better size at LB. Flagg is 5’11, 230 pounds. Flagg and Waynmon Steed were the starting LBs for Miami at the end of the 2021 season.

Agude named Miami with Oregon, Tennessee and Washington on Tuesday as finalists for his transfer destination. The former Corona, California prospect was originally committed to Maryland. Agude took official visits to San Jose State and South Alabama while in high school.

Prior to UCLA, Agude played at Riverside Community College. Miami, Oregon and Washington all have first-year head coaches entering 2022. Josh Heupel is entering his second season at Tennessee. The decision by Agude to enter the transfer portal came after he announced in January he was returning to UCLA for 2022.

“Farrell’s Take: This is an intriguing portal entry as he has shown a consistent ability to get into the offensive backfield and is long in coverage. This is a big loss for UCLA and he’s not tied to the West Coast as we saw by his original commitment to Maryland.

But you have to think USC will be of interest to him as will Oregon as both schools have shown early interest.”

Mike Farrell of Rivals.Com profiled Agude last Friday before the LB dropped his top four. Clearly the Trojans are out of the running now. Agude was originally listed as a defensive lineman who evolved into an edge rusher who can play on the line or LB. Miami has need at edge rusher and LB. Agude would be a good fit for the Hurricanes.

Tracy Pierson of 247 Sports reported last week that Agude is leaving UCLA to pursue NIL deals. The initial report came out  before Agude announced his final four. Pierson stated two programs in the Pac 12 and one on the East Coast were interested with one potential NIL deal worth $60,000.

The Miami football program returns Flagg, Steed and Keontra Smith who were the primary starting LBs in 2021. The Hurricanes lost starting DEs Deandra Johnson and Zach McCloud after the 2021 season. Agude would be a good addition for Miami at DE or LB. Those are the two biggest positions of need for the Miami defense.