Courtesy of Miami Athletics:
University of Miami defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers with the 22nd pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night at Acrisure Stadium.
Mesidor became Miami’s 69th first-round selection in program history and third pick of Thursday’s first round, joining Francis Mauigoa (No. 10 overall by the New York Giants) and Rueben Bain Jr. (No. 15 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers).
It marked the first time Miami had three players selected in the first round since 2007, when Brandon Meriweather, Jon Beason and Greg Olsen were all selected in the top 32 picks.
One of the nation’s top pass rushers, Mesidor was an All-ACC first-team selection in a dominant final year at The U. A Canadian native, Mesidor was a second-team All-America selection and a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award honoring the nation’s top pass-rusher.
Mesidor started all 15 games in which he participated and helped guide Miami to its first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff in 2025. He led the Hurricanes and ranked among the nation’s leaders with 17.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks, posting a career-high 63 total tackles.
Mesidor was a force in Miami’s run to the CFP National Championship Game, totaling 5.5 sacks during the playoffs, including two sacks in a win over Ohio State and a pair of sacks in the title game.
For his collegiate career, Mesidor totaled 52.5 tackles for loss and 35.5 sacks.
The NFL Draft continues through Saturday.
University of Miami defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers with the 22nd pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night at Acrisure Stadium.
Mesidor became Miami’s 69th first-round selection in program history and third pick of Thursday’s first round, joining Francis Mauigoa (No. 10 overall by the New York Giants) and Rueben Bain Jr. (No. 15 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers).
It marked the first time Miami had three players selected in the first round since 2007, when Brandon Meriweather, Jon Beason and Greg Olsen were all selected in the top 32 picks.
One of the nation’s top pass rushers, Mesidor was an All-ACC first-team selection in a dominant final year at The U. A Canadian native, Mesidor was a second-team All-America selection and a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award honoring the nation’s top pass-rusher.
Mesidor started all 15 games in which he participated and helped guide Miami to its first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff in 2025. He led the Hurricanes and ranked among the nation’s leaders with 17.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks, posting a career-high 63 total tackles.
Mesidor was a force in Miami’s run to the CFP National Championship Game, totaling 5.5 sacks during the playoffs, including two sacks in a win over Ohio State and a pair of sacks in the title game.
For his collegiate career, Mesidor totaled 52.5 tackles for loss and 35.5 sacks.
The NFL Draft continues through Saturday.
This young man is special and deserves to have great things in life.
