Former Georgia DE met with a current star DE in Miami's Akheem Mesidor. A transcript of their discussion is below:
David Pollack: "You’re still in your practice uni getting extra reps. When you were in the portal, why Miami?”
Akheem Mesidor: “The history speaks for itself, but what really got me was practice. Indy, 1-on-1s, the energy from everybody — players, coaches, strength staff running up and down the sideline. It was hectic, crazy, and I knew I wanted to be part of that.”
David Pollack: “Selection Sunday — what were you feeling in that moment?”
Akheem Mesidor: “I was super nervous in the building. I knew we should be in, but everybody was trying to exclude us, downplaying the Notre Dame win, focusing on negatives. When ‘The U’ popped up, I was excited because I knew the next game was at A&M in front of 100,000 — that’s my favorite environment, when everyone’s against us. Seeing the gauntlet — A&M, Ohio State, Ole Miss, then No. 1 Indiana — after that run, nobody can say we didn’t belong.”
David Pollack: “Now you’re a big underdog.”
Akheem Mesidor: “That’s fine. I’ve been an underdog my whole life.”
David Pollack: “Jason Taylor is your D-line coach. What’s that like?”
Akheem Mesidor: “He’s like a big brother to me and Rueben. Football is 80% mental, 20% physical. He keeps it simple — have your main move, bend the corner, and have a counter. Don’t get past the quarterback. Being able to pick his brain is huge.”
David Pollack: “Most athletic guy on your team?”
Akheem Mesidor: “Joshua Moore. Tall, long, super athletic.”
David Pollack: “When did you know Malachi Toney was special?”
Akheem Mesidor: “Before spring ball. I’d be leaving the building late and he’d still be there alone catching JUGS balls, just grinding.”
David Pollack: “First impressions of Carson Beck — how did he become a leader?”
Akheem Mesidor: “At first he was very quiet, to himself, which I get — you’re around a hundred new faces. But he started bringing guys together, had receivers and O-linemen to his house, built real relationships. He’s genuine, a nice guy, and a leader who’s been in big games before.”
David Pollack: “Best trash talker?”
Akheem Mesidor: “Anez Cooper — not because he’s good at it, he just never stops talking.”
David Pollack: “Give me a story about Mario Cristobal people don’t see.”
Akheem Mesidor: “Honestly, he’s exactly how he looks on TV. Loves UFC, always talking about fighting and being physical. Same guy every day — just as intense.”
David Pollack: “Do you remind him he couldn’t pass set on you guys?”
Akheem Mesidor: “I don’t tell him that, but when he trash talks his pass set, I tell him I’d beat him every time.”
David Pollack: “Hardest O-lineman to go against?”
Akheem Mesidor: “Markel Bell — those long arms are tough.”
David Pollack: “What have you seen from Indiana and Fernando Mendoza?”
Akheem Mesidor: “Super disciplined group. Not the most highly recruited, older team with a lot of JMU transfers — a bunch of guys who’ve been underdogs like us. They run the ball really well. Mendoza is accurate, smart, patient, can move a little. They’re a complete, hardworking, disciplined team.”
David Pollack: “Who’s better, Rueben Bain or Akheem Mesidor?”
Akheem Mesidor: “Y’all just gonna have to see.”
David Pollack: “That competition makes you both better.”
Akheem Mesidor: “Yeah — Rueben was just getting work with me. We all stay late, Malachi included.”
David Pollack: “Congrats on the season.”
Akheem Mesidor: “Job’s not done.”
David Pollack: "You’re still in your practice uni getting extra reps. When you were in the portal, why Miami?”
Akheem Mesidor: “The history speaks for itself, but what really got me was practice. Indy, 1-on-1s, the energy from everybody — players, coaches, strength staff running up and down the sideline. It was hectic, crazy, and I knew I wanted to be part of that.”
David Pollack: “Selection Sunday — what were you feeling in that moment?”
Akheem Mesidor: “I was super nervous in the building. I knew we should be in, but everybody was trying to exclude us, downplaying the Notre Dame win, focusing on negatives. When ‘The U’ popped up, I was excited because I knew the next game was at A&M in front of 100,000 — that’s my favorite environment, when everyone’s against us. Seeing the gauntlet — A&M, Ohio State, Ole Miss, then No. 1 Indiana — after that run, nobody can say we didn’t belong.”
David Pollack: “Now you’re a big underdog.”
Akheem Mesidor: “That’s fine. I’ve been an underdog my whole life.”
David Pollack: “Jason Taylor is your D-line coach. What’s that like?”
Akheem Mesidor: “He’s like a big brother to me and Rueben. Football is 80% mental, 20% physical. He keeps it simple — have your main move, bend the corner, and have a counter. Don’t get past the quarterback. Being able to pick his brain is huge.”
David Pollack: “Most athletic guy on your team?”
Akheem Mesidor: “Joshua Moore. Tall, long, super athletic.”
David Pollack: “When did you know Malachi Toney was special?”
Akheem Mesidor: “Before spring ball. I’d be leaving the building late and he’d still be there alone catching JUGS balls, just grinding.”
David Pollack: “First impressions of Carson Beck — how did he become a leader?”
Akheem Mesidor: “At first he was very quiet, to himself, which I get — you’re around a hundred new faces. But he started bringing guys together, had receivers and O-linemen to his house, built real relationships. He’s genuine, a nice guy, and a leader who’s been in big games before.”
David Pollack: “Best trash talker?”
Akheem Mesidor: “Anez Cooper — not because he’s good at it, he just never stops talking.”
David Pollack: “Give me a story about Mario Cristobal people don’t see.”
Akheem Mesidor: “Honestly, he’s exactly how he looks on TV. Loves UFC, always talking about fighting and being physical. Same guy every day — just as intense.”
David Pollack: “Do you remind him he couldn’t pass set on you guys?”
Akheem Mesidor: “I don’t tell him that, but when he trash talks his pass set, I tell him I’d beat him every time.”
David Pollack: “Hardest O-lineman to go against?”
Akheem Mesidor: “Markel Bell — those long arms are tough.”
David Pollack: “What have you seen from Indiana and Fernando Mendoza?”
Akheem Mesidor: “Super disciplined group. Not the most highly recruited, older team with a lot of JMU transfers — a bunch of guys who’ve been underdogs like us. They run the ball really well. Mendoza is accurate, smart, patient, can move a little. They’re a complete, hardworking, disciplined team.”
David Pollack: “Who’s better, Rueben Bain or Akheem Mesidor?”
Akheem Mesidor: “Y’all just gonna have to see.”
David Pollack: “That competition makes you both better.”
Akheem Mesidor: “Yeah — Rueben was just getting work with me. We all stay late, Malachi included.”
David Pollack: “Congrats on the season.”
Akheem Mesidor: “Job’s not done.”
Then Bauman is isolated one on one and it feels lije a wasted down to throw him ball against single coverage cover zero against Ole Miss. We are inching towards better skill guys (this past class the speed seemed to be more of emphasis) but we really need a DUDE to buy in.. With proof of concept and Mario we will get there.
