The University of Miami Hurricanes have booked their ticket to the College Football Playoff national championship, despite an injury scare to star Canadian defensive end Akheem Mesidor.
The Ottawa, Ont., native was forced to exit the game midway through the fourth quarter after Ole Miss offensive lineman Brycen Sanders fell awkwardly on his outstretched right arm at the end of a play. Mesidor was in obvious discomfort and was taken into the tent for evaluation, where he was deemed questionable to return. However, he quickly found himself back on the field, as the ‘Canes survived a late surge and answered with one of their own to defeat the Rebels 31-27 in the Fiesta Bowl.
Despite his brief exit, the six-foot-three, 265-pound pass rusher tied for second on the Miami defence with four total tackles in the CFP semifinal. He has been a force to be reckoned with throughout the College Football Playoff, amassing 14 tackles and 3.5 sacks through three games.
Mesidor has been one of Miami’s top playmakers all season, amassing 60 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles in 14 games, while earning a first-team All-ACC selection.
The Canadian standout began his collegiate career at West Virginia in 2020, before transferring to Miami in 2022. In 63 collegiate games between the two programs, Mesidor has collected 205 total tackles, 50.5 tackles for loss, 33.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, and four batted passes.
The redshirt senior 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 17th overall prospect and fourth-best edge rusher on Mel Kiper’s latest big board for ESPN.
Mesidor and his teammate, sophomore offensive lineman Nino Francavilla from Toronto, Ont., have a chance to become the 11th and 12th Canadians to win an NCAA national championship since the introduction of a definitive title game. The 24-year-old’s status is certain to be a hot topic over the coming weeks.
Miami will face the winner of Friday’s matchup between Indiana and Oregon in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, January 19, at 7:30 p.m. EST from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
