Miami football gets commitment from WVU transfer DL Akheem Mesidor

The Miami football program gained its second transfer from West Virginia with a commitment from defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor on Wednesday evening. Miami previously signed cornerback Darry Porter Jr. this offseason. Mesidor was named All-Big 12 and a freshmen All-American in two seasons at West Virginia.

The last two years at West Virginia Mesidor had 70 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. Mesidor who is originally from Ottawa, Ontario prepped at Clearwater Academy International in Florida. Coming out of high school Mesidor was the 647th player, 28th strongside defensive and 86th in Florida in the Class of 2019.

Mesidor is the ninth transfer and fourth defensive lineman the Miami football team has added since Mario Cristobal was hired as head coach in December. Mitchell Agude who transferred from UCLA will compete with returnees Jahfari Harvey and Chantz Williams and Mesidor to be the first team Miami 2022 DEs.

Miami also added versatile DL Jake Lichtenstein from USC and Antonio Moultrie from UAB as transfers this offseason. Lichtenstein and Moultrie have the ability to play end or tackle. The expectation for Lichtenstein and Moutrie is to primarily backup at DT and potentially be in the rotation at DE.

When Cristobal was hired in December he stated it was a priority to improve the depth, talent and production on the line of scrimmage. Mesidor is the 11th lineman Miami has signed since Cristobal was hired. Mesidor chose Miami over Auburn, Tennessee and USC according to Gaby Urrutia of Inside the U.

Mesidor has the ability to play end or tackle. Per Pro Football Focus via Urrutia Mesidor played 226 snaps at nose tackle and 207 coming at defensive tackle, per PFF. As a true freshman in 2020 Mesidor primarily played DE for West Virginia. Mesidor seems more likely to be an edge rusher for Miami than a tackle.

Jared Harrison-Hunte and Leonard Taylor are the projected starters at DT for Miami. Harrison-Hunte and Taylor will be two of the anchors of the Miami defense in 2022. Adding Mesidor should upgrade the Miami pass rush. Mesidor is a proven pass rusher that gives Miami needed depth on the defensive line.