Mario Cristobal pleased with Akheem Mesidor's progress in training camp
The return of defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor after missing most of the 2023 season is a huge boost for the Miami football team. Miami head coach Mario Cristobal praised Mesidor for his progress early in training camp. Mesidor should be a major contributor to what is projected as one of the best defensive lines nationally in 2024.
Mesidor played in three games in 2023 before suffering season ending injuries on both feet. During the spring, Mesidor had to be fitted for special cleats to be able to play. Mesidor had five tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack during the 2023 season.
In his first season with Miami after transferring from West Virginia in 2022, Mesidor had 38 tackles, 10.5 for loss, 7.0 sacks, 1.0 forced fumble and 4.0 pass breakups in 11 games. Miami is expected to start 2023 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year Rueben Bain and Mesidor at edge rusher in 2024.
Elijah Alston from Marshall and Tyler Baron from Tennessee via Louisville transferred to Miami giving the Hurricanes one of the deepest group of edge rushers nationally. Bain and Mesidor are versatile players who can move inside on passing downs. Cristobal spoke about the progress Mesidor is making.
"You see the Mesidor that arrived here a couple years ago before the injury, probably with an extra 10 pounds of muscle. His motor is unique...and he’s got a lot of versatility. He plays a lot of different positions...We expect a big year out of him. He’s done a really good job taking care of his body because he throws it around now...Expecting him to have an even better next couple of weeks, really push that d-line room."
- Miami head coach Mario Cristobal
Mesidor was named honorable mention All-ACC in 2022 and honorable mention All-Big XII in 2021. ESPN named Mesidor first-team freshman All-American in 2020 and The Athletic named Mesidor second-team freshman All-American. Mesidor also earned second-team All-Big XII in 2020.
Miami will be able to monitor Mesidor's participation during training camp and his snaps at the beginning of the season because of the depth they have on the defensive line. Partially because of Mesidor returning this season, Pro Football Focus ranks the Miami DL third nationally entering the 2024 season.
Next. Akheem Mesidor expects playing inside and out on defensive line for Miami. Akheem Mesidor expects playing inside and out on defensive line for Miami. dark
Mesidor received an 87.2 grade that was fifth among all edge rushers in 2022. If Mesidor can return to the form he had in 2022, Miami can have a dominant defensive line in 2024. Mesidor could contend to be All-ACC in 2024 if he is healthy. Mesidor will be a key DL for Miami during the 2024 season.