Seeing a former player excelling on another team other than WVU is a tough pill to swallow for many WVU fans, and seeing a former WVU defensive lineman earn First-Team All-ACC honors might bring a lot of emotion to WVU football fans.
Akheem Mesidor last played for WVU in 2021 before transferring to Miami. Now in 2025, Mesidor is a first-team All-ACC honoree, as announced on Tuesday. The former Mountaineer has certainly earned his All-ACC honors, posting 46 total tackles (26 solo tackles), seven sacks, and four forced fumbles over 12 games for the Hurricanes.
Mesidor left the WVU program in a bit of a controversial way, but has excelled since transferring to Miami. In four seasons at Miami (38 games and 34 starts), the Ontario native has recorded 121 tackles (67 solo tackles), 32.5 tackles for loss, 20.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, and four pass breakups.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has Mesidor as the 18th best collegiate prospect in the upcoming draft, giving the former Mountaineer a real shot at playing on Sundays in the NFL next year.
Mesidor spent two seasons playing in Morgantown (2020-2021) under then-head coach Neal Brown, before deciding to make the switch to the ACC. During his two seasons at WVU, Mesidor racked up 70 total tackles (44 solo tackles), 14.5 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks.
Finishing up his collegiate career, Mesidor has made his name known around college football as a top-end defensive lineman who can play inside at the defensive tackle position, too, if needed.
It might sting seeing a former Mountaineer claim First Team All-ACC honors instead of representing West Virginia, but WVU fans should be happy that the former Mountaineer has found a place where he is excelling and comfortable.