Akheem Mesidor
Mesidor in 2026
No. 90 – Los Angeles Chargers
Position Linebacker
Roster status Unsigned draft pick
Personal information
Born (2001-04-05) April 5, 2001 (age 25)
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Listed height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight 259 lb (117 kg)
Career information
High school Clearwater (Clearwater, Florida, U.S.)
College
  • West Virginia (2020–2021)
  • Miami (FL) (2022–2025)
NFL draft 2026: 1st round, 22nd overall
Career history
  • Los Angeles Chargers (2026−present)
Awards and highlights
  • Second-team All-American (2025)
  • First-team All-ACC (2025)
  • Second-team All-Big 12 (2020)
  • Third-team All-Big 12 (2021)
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Akheem Mesidor (born April 5, 2001) is a Canadian professional football linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers and Miami Hurricanes and was selected by the Chargers in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft.

Early life

Mesidor grew up Ottawa, Ontario, and began playing gridiron football with the North Gloucester Giants of the National Capital Amateur Football Association. He attended several high schools in the Ottawa area and Royal Imperial Collegiate of Canada in St. Catharines.[1] Mesidor transferred to Clearwater Academy International in Clearwater, Florida before his senior year.[2] Mesidor was rated a three-star recruit and committed to play college football at West Virginia over offers from UCLA, Georgia Tech, Syracuse, and Pittsburgh.[3]

College career

Mesidor began his college career at West Virginia.[4] He played both defensive end and defensive tackle during his true freshman season and was named second team All-Big 12 Conference after recording 32 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks. Mesidor moved to nose tackle entering his second season.[5] He finished the season with 38 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks.[6] After the season, Mesidor entered the NCAA transfer portal.[7]

Mesidor ultimately transferred to Miami over offers from USC, Auburn, and Tennessee.[8] He was named a starter on the Hurricanes' defensive line despite not participating in the team's spring practices.[9]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span Wingspan
6 ft 3 in
(1.91 m)		 259 lb
(117 kg)		 32+1⁄8 in
(0.82 m)		 10 in
(0.25 m)		 6 ft 6+3⁄4 in
(2.00 m)
All values from NFL Combine[10][11]

Mesidor was ranked the #1 prospect ahead of the 2026 CFL draft.[12] On April 23, 2026, Mesidor was taken in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft with the 22nd overall pick by the Los Angeles Chargers.[13]

References

  1. ^ Baines, Tim (January 30, 2021). "ALL-AMERICAN CANADIAN: Ottawa's Akheem Mesidor shines on football field in West Virginia". Ottawa Sun. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  2. ^ "Akheem Mesidor's early success sets stage for more challenges at WVU". The Exponent Telegram. August 10, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  3. ^ Cummings, Keenan (December 19, 2019). "Meet the West Virginia Mountaineers football 2020 signees". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  4. ^ "WVU's Akheem Mesidor's production is taking a hit, but he's 'happy to do it' at nose tackle". The Dominion Post. November 26, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  5. ^ Hunter, Greg (August 25, 2021). "Akheem Mesidor making the move to nose tackle". The Herald-Dispatch. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  6. ^ "Neal Brown 'hurt', 'sad' as Akheem Mesidor enters transfer portal". The Exponent Telegram. March 31, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  7. ^ "In tough blow, West Virginia's Akheem Mesidor enters transfer portal". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. March 31, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  8. ^ "'Committed!' Another talented defensive lineman announces transfer to Miami Hurricanes". Miami Herald. April 20, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  9. ^ "Akheem Mesidor, the prize of Miami's transfer haul, is putting in extra work to win job". Miami Herald. August 9, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  10. ^ "Akheem Mesidor Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  11. ^ "Akheem Mesidor College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  12. ^ "Mesidor retains No. 1 spot in spring edition of CFL Scouting Bureau". Canadian Football League. April 21, 2026.
  13. ^ Navarro, Omar (April 23, 2026). "Chargers Select Akheem Mesidor at No. 22 in 2026 NFL Draft". chargers.com. Los Angeles Chargers.