Defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor, through the Transfer Portal and defensive tackle Ahmad Moten, linebacker Wesley Bissainthe, offensive lineman Anez Cooper and Matthew McCoy as freshmen are the five remaining players from the 2022 Miami class, who were the first signees with the Hurricanes under Mario Cristobal.
Mesidor is the star who emerged from the 26 players Miami added to the roster in the inaugural season under Cristobal in 2022. After earning honorable mention All-ACC in 2022 and 2024, Mesidor was named first-team All-Conference in 2025.
Mesidor has had his best collegiate season in 2025 with 56 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, and 4.0 forced fumbles. In Miami's College Football Playoff wins over Texas A&M and Ohio State, Mesidor had 10.0 tackles, 3.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks.
Becoming a full-time starter for the first time, Moten has career highs with 25 tackles, 8.0 TFLs and 4.5 sacks. Moten was one of four Miami players who earned second-team All-ACC in 2025. As a redshirt junior. Moten has one year of eligibility remaining beyond the 2025 season.
Bolstering the offensive line
Cooper earned second-team All-ACC in 2025. Contributing nearly immediately, Cooper has started 44 games and played in 50 in his Miami career. Cooper has started all 40 Miami games over the past three seasons.
A redshirt junior, McCoy has played in 48 games and started 39 during his Miami career. McCoy has played in and started 38 games for Miami over the past three seasons. Expect McCoy to be the lone returning starting OL for Miami in 2026.
Bissainthe earned All-ACC for the first time in 2025 when he was named to the third team. In four seasons, Bissainthe has played in 52 games for Miami with 39 starts. Bissainthe has tied his career high with 39 tackles, has 2.5 TFLs, 1.0 sack, one forced fumble, one interception and one pass defended.
Bissainthe, Cooper, McCoy, Mesidor, and Moten have been foundational players for Cristobal. Those five and reserve linebacker Chase Smith, the only player remaining from the 2021 Miami roster, have helped Cristobal set the culture for the Hurricanes.