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Former WVU Football Defensive Lineman Has Excellent Week 1 Performance In Top 25 Game

Akheem Mesidor, a former Mountaineer, was a big part of why Miami was able to upset sixth-ranked Notre Dame.
ByDylan Pauley|
Nov 30, 2024; Syracuse, New York, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor (3) reacts after a play against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
Nov 30, 2024; Syracuse, New York, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor (3) reacts after a play against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images | Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Week 1 of the college football season saw a lot of Top 25 matchups from Thursday to Sunday night. If WVU football fans were watching the Sunday nightcap game of Miami vs. Notre Dame, they probably heard a name that was recognizable to them.

In their 27-24 win over the sixth-ranked Notre Dame, the Miami Hurricanes sealed the game with a sack of starting quarterback CJ Carr to ensure the victory. One of the Hurricane defenders who got to the quarterback to win the game was none other than former West Virginia Mountaineers' defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor. Mesidor teamed up with fellow Hurricane defender Rueben Bain Jr. to effectively end the game on a turnover on downs for the Fighting Irish.

Mesidor finished the game with five total tackles (three solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks, including the game-winner. Mesidor is a sixth-year redshirt senior with the Hurricanes, playing his sixth year of college football.

Mesidor spent two seasons at WVU before deciding to transfer to Miami. He was a recruit of former head coach Neal Brown. Although there was a lot of turmoil surrounding Brown's coaching abilities, one thing was certain — he was able to find talent and get them to WVU.


During his two seasons at WVU (2020-2021), Mesidor racked up the stats. Over those two seasons, Mesidor tallied 70 total tackles (44 solo), 14.5 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks in 23 games played. While at WVU, the current Hurricane was a high-energy player who made his impact known along the front line of the defense. Because of his play on the field, Mesidor was named to the ESPN True Freshman All-American First Team and the All-Big 12 Conference Second Team his freshman season in 2020. In 2021, he was an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.

After his sophomore season, Mesidor decided to enter his name into the transfer portal. In a social media post, Mesidor stated that he did not feel safe at times anymore on the WVU campus and decided to look for opportunities to play elsewhere.

Since he has been at Miami, Mesidor has been putting up very impressive numbers. In 28 games with the Hurricanes, Mesidor has accumulated 80 total tackles (44 solo), 23 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, four passes defended, and one forced fumble. With his production on the field, Mesidor has the potential to turn himself into an NFL Draft prospect in his final year of eligibility.

Even though it hurts to see talented players go somewhere else, WVU fans should be rooting for the young man to do well in his future, wherever that may be.

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