Versatile Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor is returning to the Hurricanes for his fourth season in the program in 2025 and his sixth college season overall. Mesidor began his career playing two years at West Virginia. After an injury-plagued 2023 limited Mesidor to three games, he was named honorable mention all-ACC in 2024.
Mesidor has 145 tackles, 35 tackles for loss, 23 sacks, one forced fumble and four passes defended during his five collegiate seasons. In three seasons with Miami, Mesidor has 75 tackles, 21 TFLs, 13.5 sacks, four passes defended and one forced fumble in 27 games.
In his first season with Miami in 2022, Mesidor earned honorable-mention All-ACC honors with 38 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 7.0 sacks, four passes defended and one forced fumble. Mesidor had five tackles, 1.0 TFL and 1.0 sack in the three games he played in 2023 before foot injuries ended his season.
The return of Mesidor provides Miami with an experienced and versatile DL who can mentor most of the other returnees for the Hurricanes. Mesidor can play edge-rusher and defensive tackle. Miami also returns 2023 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year Rueben Bain, who missed four games in 2023 with an injury.
It looks like Miami will get DL Akheem Mesidor back for one more season. Massive for the Hurricanes. pic.twitter.com/zFLL3kfoz9
— Gaby Urrutia (@GabyUrrutia247) January 13, 2025
Miami's Akheem Mesidor announced he'll be back with the Canes next season
Returning in 2025 will provide Mesidor another season to prove he is healthy and past his foot problems, with an opportunity to improve his 2026 NFL Draft stock. Originally from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Medisor could also have an opportunity to play in the Canadian Football League after his collegiate career concludes.
After being projected just outside the Top 200 in the 2025 NFL Draft throughout November and early December, Mesidor's stock plummeted below 600 before moving back up to 400. Mesidor was still projected well outside being drafted in 2024. Another big season in 2025, and showing that he is healthy, is important for Mesidor.
Mesidor will turn 24 in April. By the time the 2026 NFL Draft is conducted and when he begins a potential NFL career, Mesidor will be 25. His age will definitely work against him in the NFL Draft. The 2025 season is critical for Mesidor's future and could determine where he plays professionally.