Miami football depth to absorb Akheem Mesidor out versus Southern Mississippi

The Miami football team should have the depth to absorb the loss of defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor versus Southern Mississippi. Mesidor is out versus Southern Mississippi per multiple reports. WQAM sideline reporter Josh Darrow reported in the pre-gram that Mesidor has a brace on his leg.

Manny Navarro of The Athletic tweeted that Elijah Roberts will take the first team snaps at defensive end with Mesidor out. Roberts is a versatile DL like Mesidor that can play on the edge or at tackle. On the depth chart released on Saturday morning, third-year sophomore Chantz Williams is listed as second-team behind Mesidor.

Head coach Mario Cristobal said that Mesidor was the best defensive player for the Miami football team in its 70-13 victory over Bethune-Cookman last week. Mesidor had four tackles, a sack and a pass breakup with a 91 grade from Pro Football Focus last week per Inside the U. Roberts had two tackles last week.

Williams had one tackle and a 0.5 sack versus Bethune-Cookman. Mitchell Agude and Jahfari Harvey are listed as the co-first team edge rushers on the other side. Agude had two tackles and Harvey one last week. Neither Agude nor Harvey had any tackles for loss last week. Without Mesidor Miami needs them in the backfield.

Miami has significant experience to replace Mesidor. The majority of the Miami defensive linemen who can play on the edge are in at least their third year of collegiate experience. Miami generated six TFLs and two sacks last week. Redshirt freshman Thomas Davis and Williams shared the other sack.

Linebacker Corey Flagg led Miami with two TFLs. Southern Mississippi runs the vast majority of the time. The Golden Eagles ran 54 times and passed 13 in their 29-27 four-overtime loss to Liberty last week. Miami play-by-play announcer Joe Zagacki reported that Williams will start on Saturday.

Miami used a deep rotation last week in the win over Bethune-Cookman. That rotation will get tighter as the season progresses, but Miami is expected to use about 10 DL per game. True freshmen Nyjalik Kelly and Cyrus Moss are also likely to see increased snaps. Southern Mississippi allowed only one sack last week.