The University of Miami knocked off defending national champion Ohio State 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve, thanks in part to another strong performance from star Canadian pass rusher Akheem Mesidor.
The native of Ottawa, Ont., came out of the gate firing with two sacks in the first quarter, leading a strong Hurricanes defence. Mesidor remained disruptive throughout the game, finishing with five tackles and helping to force the game-ending interception from Buckeyes QB Julian Sayin.
The victory was the second for tenth-seeded Miami in the College Football Playoff, propelling them into the semi-finals. Mesidor was also key in the team’s 10-3 upset of Texas A&M in the opening round, recording five tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 11 total pressures.
A redshirt senior, Mesidor has been a force to be reckoned with for the Hurricanes. Through 13 games, he has recorded 56 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles, while earning a first-team All-ACC selection.
The six-foot-three, 265-pound pass rusher began his collegiate career at West Virginia in 2020, before transferring to Miami in 2022. In 62 collegiate games between the two programs, he has collected 201 total tackles, 50.5 tackles for loss, 33.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, and four batted passes.
Mesidor was the top-ranked player on the CFL’s September scouting bureau rankings, but is unlikely to play north of the border any time soon. He is expected to be selected highly in the 2026 NFL Draft and was ranked as the 18th overall prospect and second-best edge rusher behind teammate Rueben Bain Jr. on Mel Kiper’s latest big board for ESPN.
With two more wins, Mesidor and his teammate, sophomore offensive lineman Nino Francavilla from Toronto, Ont., will become the 11th and 12th Canadians to win an NCAA national championship since the introduction of a definitive title game. The 24-year-old will face the winner of Thursday’s matchup between Ole Miss and Georgia in the Fiesta Bowl on January 8 at 7:30 p.m. EST.
