I's time to ring in New Year's 2026, and the college football world saw 2025 end with a bang on Wednesday night as the No. 10-seed Miami Hurricanes upset the No. 2-seed and defending College Football Playoff National Champions Ohio State 24-14 in the first of four CFP quarterfinal match-ups. And a former WVU football star was right in the thick of the upset.
Akheem Mesidor, who played on the defensive line for the West Virginia Mountaineers from 2020-2021 and recorded 70 tackles and 9.5 sacks during his stint in Morgantown, is now a starter in the trenches for Miami (FL), playing both defensive end and defensive tackle. And during the upset over the Ohio State Buckeyes, Mesidor showed just how dangerous of a talent as he is and was crucial his team's win.
Mesidor recorded five tackles – all solo – and led the team with two sacks in the victory, playing a massive role in helping the Hurricanes continue to keep Ohio State quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist Julian Sayin rattled all night long, as they forced him into throwing two interceptions.
Mesidor was named a First-Team All-ACC selection this season, and he now has 56 total tackles, 10.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles through 14 games. Over the course of his six-season collegiate career, he now has 201 total tackles and 32.5 sacks. Entering the playoff, he was projected as a late-2nd round draft pick at best, and most likely a Day 3 selection. But he was listed as one of Mel Kiper's Top 25 talents in the 2026 NFL Draft, and Wednesday's performance will certainly boost his stock.
Mesidor and the Hurricanes move to 12-2 on the year and advance to the CFP semifinals, and will face the winner of the Sugar Bowl, which will pit SEC foes Georgia and Ole Miss against one another.