When Mario landed in Miami, he didn’t even change out of his suit before traveling to Miami Central to watch LB Wesley Bissainthe. Two years later, Bissainthe is a key defender on the most important team of the Cristobal era. Bissainthe joined the CanesInSight Podcast to discuss his progress and his relationship with Canes Connection.

A summary of Bissainthe’s interview is below:

On Derek Nicholson’s promotion to Co-DC: My relationship with Coach D-Nic, man, we're very close. I'm very excited he got the position. I feel like he's a very creative man. He's going to put us in the best position to make plays in his defense and execute the defense. I can't wait to get to work.

On Mario visiting Miami Central immediately after his arrival in Miami: It was amazing to me. You know, he was fresh off the plane. For Miami Central to be his first stop, man, it was an amazing feeling, man. I'm blessed, and that really caught my eye, and that's what made me a Cane.

On going from 193 pounds to 222 pounds: I’m not going to say it was easy. You definitely got to eat. You got to drink your protein shakes. It's a lot. When I went to go pick up dinner from the players' lounge yesterday, our head nutritionist called me over. She said I put on 30 pounds since I've been here and only four pounds of it was body fat. The rest was muscle.

I feel more explosive. I feel like I'm stronger. Man, I needed it. I'm hitting the O-line consistently. So you need that weight to be able to do it all game long.

On his interests outside of football: I'm a big movie person, so I like to watch movies. I search up old movies, new movies. I'm a big fan of Fast and the Furious. I like all of them. I love Friday and I like Soul Plane.

On the impact Canes Connection has had on his life: They helped me expand my brand. Just a great company that helps all the players expand their brand and get their name out there for more people to know about them. They help the fans to interact with the players and know more about them.

On becoming a linebacker: When I first started playing, I was a center. Then I moved to standup defensive end. When I turned 10 was the first year I played linebacker. Ever since then, I've been at linebacker.

I feel like the position was made for me. I'm aggressive. I love to hit and I love to get to the ball. I was just always a playmaker at that position. I'm gonna do some big things at linebacker.

On how Central prepared him for the college game: My head coach, Coach Joseph, my linebackers coach, Coach P, they prepared me well for college. At Central, we had a college-like defense. When I came in to Miami, I started off pretty slow, but I picked up pretty fast. By the end of the year, I was starting. Just the workouts and the way they prepare you with meetings and early practices, they have all that. So when you get here, it's not new. You're already used to it.

On his favorite high school memory: My state championship game for my sophomore year. We played Edgewater. Drove up to Daytona Beach. That was my favorite game. That's when I got, my first state championship ring.

On the best player he ever played against: His name was Lexington Joseph. He played running back for us at Miami Central. Number four. For some reason, I've seen Lex do some crazy stuff. He' sone of my favorite players.

On the linebacker room: We’re a brotherhood. The young guys are starting to grasp everything and become more comfortable with the defense. I love to see it. Me and Kiko (Mauigoa), we try to lead the younger guys. Whenever they ask us questions, we answer them. Some of the freshmen are picking it up quick. Very smart. We all help each other when one needs help. That’s what's gonna help your team and your position to get better. We can't be selfish. You gotta help one another to be successful.

On the decision to stay home: I’m glad I chose home just for my mom. My mom's right down the street. I could go see my family’s faces any day of the week. It’s a great experience just to play college ball at home and still see your family.

On his goals for this year: Me personally, I'm looking to have a big year. What the defense is going to do – what the team is going to do – I feel like nobody's going to be ready for. The 2024 Miami Hurricanes are coming different this year, but you can't do no talking. You got to put it into action.