Summary

Akheem Mesidor (25 years old) is a prolific defensive end who began his college career at West Virginia (2020–2021) before transferring to Miami in 2022, where he played through the 2025 season. In 2025, Mesidor recorded 63 total tackles with 17.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks and four forced fumbles earning him First-Team All-ACC honors in 2025 and widespread recognition as a disruptive defensive force in Canes front seven. Mesidor has remained in solid academic standing throughout his extended collegiate career and there are no publicly reported serious off-field incidents associated with him. Off the field, he is regarded by coaches and teammates as a hard-working, high-effort competitor with leadership qualities and professionalism. Regarding his injury history, Mesidor has dealt with a recurring foot injury that limited him in 2023 and some in 2025, but has largely been able to return to form and avoid extended absences, underscoring his resilience and toughness on the field.

Strengths

Hellcat: Fires off the ball with sudden burst, immediately stressing interior blockers and creating penetration. Shoots gaps decisively, disrupting run schemes before they can fully develop.
Inside Out: Shows a knack for collapsing the pocket from the inside, generating pressure on guards and centers. Has experience lining up as a three-technique, shaded tackle, and reduced edge in sub packages.
Power/Speed Hyrbid: Plays with natural leverage and lower-body strength to hold his ground at the point of attack. Violent finisher who competes through the whistle and will chase plays laterally down the line.
Violence: Uses swipes and clubs to disengage quickly and keep blockers from latching on. Plays with an edge and brings fire, tenacity and physical intensity snap after snap.

Weaknesses

Senior Citizen: Will be 25 years old as a rookie due to his long collegiate career, which can turn some teams off, not to mention a chronic foot injury that may spook teams.
Arm Length: Lacks elite arm length, which can make it harder to consistently separate from longer guards.
Blue Collar: Won’t wow you with a flashy array of moves but makes up for it by knocking blockers on their ass and willing his way to the ball carrier.
Staying Low: Will occasionally rise out of his stance, reducing leverage advantages. Can be displaced when facing coordinated combo blocks from bigger interior linemen.

Outlook

Mesidor is a powerful, explosive and technically refined pass rusher with elite hand usage, sudden first-step quickness, and the strength to anchor against the run, making him a true every-down disruptor off the edge. He projects best in attacking defenses that deploy hybrid fronts, whether that’s a 4-3 scheme that allows him to line up wide with freedom to bull rush or stunt or a 3-4 front that lets him play with leverage and use his strength to set the edge and rush. Mesidor’s draft value is varying, but most see a prospect with strong potential to be selected anywhere from the mid-to-late first round based on his traits and production. Any club that values a blue collar rusher that will wreck shop on grit and tenacity will strongly value Mesidor.

Pro Comparison: Kyle Vanden Bosch

Team Fits: DET, DAL, CAR, CHI, JAX

Report written by Filip Prus