Chris Simms welcomed Miami defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor to Chris Simms Unbuttoned at the NFL Scouting Combine. Mesidor discussed his competitive relationship with Rueben Bain, his Canadian football journey, the sacrifices behind his recruitment, and the changes that elevated his game heading into the draft. Full transcript here:
Chris Simms: We just talked to Rueben Bain and he said he didn’t have to look far for motivation in college—he just looked across the line at you. What was that competition like between you two?
Akheem Mesidor: It’s in everything we do—watching film, getting to the quarterback, even getting to the facility. Whose weight’s down more? Whose body fat’s lower? It’s in everything. It honestly makes us better.
Chris Simms: That’s what the best teams have—that high competitive level. Your journey starts in Canada. When did you start playing football?
Akheem Mesidor: Eight years old.
Chris Simms: What was that journey like moving to the United States and having success at multiple schools?
Akheem Mesidor: It wasn’t a crazy transition. Growing up, everybody talks about big, bad Americans, but once I finished high school in Clearwater, Florida, there wasn’t really a change. Ball is ball. If you can play football, you can play football. That led me to the university level and to today. Just stay confident, keep working.
Chris Simms: Where did you go to high school in Clearwater?
Akheem Mesidor: Clearwater Academy. I was there about eight months. They don’t have a football team anymore, but that’s where I finished up.
Chris Simms: What’s youth football like in Ottawa? Most Americans don’t think of Canada having little league football.
Akheem Mesidor: It’s different by province. In Ottawa, we have little league from 8 to 18 years old. High school football isn’t that popular because there isn’t much funding for athletics, especially football. So I played organized football outside of school from 8 until I transferred to the States at 17.
Chris Simms: From a recruiting standpoint, that’s a tougher hill to climb.
Akheem Mesidor: It is. A lot of people look down on Canadian talent, especially university coaches. Even if you’ve got great tape, they’ll say, “He’s playing in Canada. Let’s see how he does against Americans.” So I had to travel—Indiana camps, Penn State, North Carolina—across the East and Midwest just to get recognized and earn a scholarship. It was a long process, very stressful, especially on my mom. She worked two or three jobs to provide the funds so I could go to these camps. I also worked with one of my mentors, Victor Tedondo, who runs Grand Academy. He helped kickstart my process to come play in the States.
Chris Simms: I can tell you’re smart. You speak French, too. How did that shape you?
Akheem Mesidor: My first language was French. I went to French school from junior kindergarten through eighth grade. You’d get in trouble for speaking English. When I switched to English school, I had to relearn math and everything else in English. Then I moved to the States and stopped hearing French as much, so I’m losing it a bit. I can fully understand it, but holding a full conversation is tougher now.
Chris Simms: What are NFL teams asking you in meetings?
Akheem Mesidor: The most common questions are about being Canadian—how I’ll stay in the States, my background, my family. Once we get into football, it flies by. I can talk football all day.
Chris Simms: What do they like about your game? And what do they think you need to improve?
Akheem Mesidor: They’ve heard I’m smart and that I work hard. But once I start talking through techniques and what’s going through my mind on tape, they see it. Then they ask, “Were you always this smart? Why is the film from last year to this year different?” Last year I was playing defensive tackle at 280 pounds, doing what was best for the team. I asked Coach JT what I had to do to be the best defensive end in the country. He told me I had to change my body and be a pro—how I eat, sleep, take care of myself. I lost 20 pounds. Everyone lifts and conditions, so I added extra work. On Saturdays I worked with a pass rush specialist. On Sundays I swam a mile instead of running to preserve my body and still condition. Swimming transformed my body and elevated my game.
Chris Simms: You’re a natural pass rusher. You working out here at the combine?
Akheem Mesidor: No, sir. Pro day.
Chris Simms: We’ll see you there. Awesome year by you guys.
Akheem Mesidor: Appreciate you.
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Chris Simms: We just talked to Rueben Bain and he said he didn’t have to look far for motivation in college—he just looked across the line at you. What was that competition like between you two?
Akheem Mesidor: It’s in everything we do—watching film, getting to the quarterback, even getting to the facility. Whose weight’s down more? Whose body fat’s lower? It’s in everything. It honestly makes us better.
Chris Simms: That’s what the best teams have—that high competitive level. Your journey starts in Canada. When did you start playing football?
Akheem Mesidor: Eight years old.
Chris Simms: What was that journey like moving to the United States and having success at multiple schools?
Akheem Mesidor: It wasn’t a crazy transition. Growing up, everybody talks about big, bad Americans, but once I finished high school in Clearwater, Florida, there wasn’t really a change. Ball is ball. If you can play football, you can play football. That led me to the university level and to today. Just stay confident, keep working.
Chris Simms: Where did you go to high school in Clearwater?
Akheem Mesidor: Clearwater Academy. I was there about eight months. They don’t have a football team anymore, but that’s where I finished up.
Chris Simms: What’s youth football like in Ottawa? Most Americans don’t think of Canada having little league football.
Akheem Mesidor: It’s different by province. In Ottawa, we have little league from 8 to 18 years old. High school football isn’t that popular because there isn’t much funding for athletics, especially football. So I played organized football outside of school from 8 until I transferred to the States at 17.
Chris Simms: From a recruiting standpoint, that’s a tougher hill to climb.
Akheem Mesidor: It is. A lot of people look down on Canadian talent, especially university coaches. Even if you’ve got great tape, they’ll say, “He’s playing in Canada. Let’s see how he does against Americans.” So I had to travel—Indiana camps, Penn State, North Carolina—across the East and Midwest just to get recognized and earn a scholarship. It was a long process, very stressful, especially on my mom. She worked two or three jobs to provide the funds so I could go to these camps. I also worked with one of my mentors, Victor Tedondo, who runs Grand Academy. He helped kickstart my process to come play in the States.
Chris Simms: I can tell you’re smart. You speak French, too. How did that shape you?
Akheem Mesidor: My first language was French. I went to French school from junior kindergarten through eighth grade. You’d get in trouble for speaking English. When I switched to English school, I had to relearn math and everything else in English. Then I moved to the States and stopped hearing French as much, so I’m losing it a bit. I can fully understand it, but holding a full conversation is tougher now.
Chris Simms: What are NFL teams asking you in meetings?
Akheem Mesidor: The most common questions are about being Canadian—how I’ll stay in the States, my background, my family. Once we get into football, it flies by. I can talk football all day.
Chris Simms: What do they like about your game? And what do they think you need to improve?
Akheem Mesidor: They’ve heard I’m smart and that I work hard. But once I start talking through techniques and what’s going through my mind on tape, they see it. Then they ask, “Were you always this smart? Why is the film from last year to this year different?” Last year I was playing defensive tackle at 280 pounds, doing what was best for the team. I asked Coach JT what I had to do to be the best defensive end in the country. He told me I had to change my body and be a pro—how I eat, sleep, take care of myself. I lost 20 pounds. Everyone lifts and conditions, so I added extra work. On Saturdays I worked with a pass rush specialist. On Sundays I swam a mile instead of running to preserve my body and still condition. Swimming transformed my body and elevated my game.
Chris Simms: You’re a natural pass rusher. You working out here at the combine?
Akheem Mesidor: No, sir. Pro day.
Chris Simms: We’ll see you there. Awesome year by you guys.
Akheem Mesidor: Appreciate you.
This article is sponsored by KashKick, one of the biggest apps in America. Give your free team a raise and get paid to browse, play games and answer surveys. Join today at KashKick.
https://kashkick.com/
