Louisville-transfer The Miami football program should see more performance from Jaylin Alderman than from the three linebackers the Hurricanes lost to the portal.
In contrast to the losses of Corey Flagg, Marcellius Pulliam, and Kaleb Spencer to the portal, the Miami football team is anticipated to have more linebacker productivity in 2024 with the acquisition of Louisville transfer Jaylin Alderman. Of the previous three, Flagg was the only one to play in the Miami LB rotation in 2023. With 62 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and two pass breakups in 2023, Alderman enjoyed a breakout season. Alderman gave Miami another veteran LB with two years left on his eligibility. As Wesley Bissainthe and Francisco Mauigoa, two of Miami’s starting linebackers, return, Alderman will play a big role.
For Miami, Flagg’s departure was far more consequential than Pulliam and Spencer’s. With 48 tackles, 7.0 TFLs, 3.0 QB hits, and 1.0 forced fumble, Flagg was fourth on Miami in 2023. Flagg was a dependable player for Miami throughout his four seasons there, finishing among the team leaders in tackles in his final three years. Flagg moved to Missouri, Pulliam to Michigan State, and Spencer to Virginia Tech, which was closer to his native state of Virginia. On September 27, Spencer will make his way back to Hard Rock Stadium when Miami takes on Virginia Tech. After Mauigoa leaves in 2024, Alderman and Bissainthe will assist in stabilizing the Miami LB corps.
Alderman was ranked 49th among LBs and 703rd overall in the 2024 portal. According to the 2024 site, Flagg is the 783rd-ranked transfer 59th LB. Spencer is 893rd and 67th, and Pulliam is 931st and 69th. Both Cameron Pruitt, a freshman, and Raul Aguirre, a sophomore, showed promise this spring and are expected to be included in the 2024 LB rotation. Alderman is a valuable asset to the football team at Miami. Derek Nicholson, the coach of Miami’s linebackers, brought Alderman to Louisville, where he spent two seasons as a coach. At linebacker, Miami possesses a solid combination of future development and experience coming into the 2024 campaign.