— Story by Taylor Kennedy
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A name that you will become familiar with throughout the season will be Akheem Mesidor. Mesidor is a true freshman, and immediately making a name for himself on the gridiron.
Mesidor, an Ottawa, Ontario native, has played in the first three games of the season. He earned his first career start last Saturday against Baylor. In that game, Mesidor recorded four total tackles and one sack. West Virginia head football coach Neal Brown was impressed with how Mesidor played.
“His effort was off the chart,” says Brown during his Tuesday press conference. “This was his best game against Baylor.”
Mesidor was listed as a four-star recruit from Clearwater Academy in Florida. He is one of seven four-star commits from the 2020 class on WVU’s roster. Mesidor chose WVU over a 18 other Division 1 schools including: Kansas State, Virginia Tech, and Louisville
Mesidor shows his passion on the field by the way he interacts with the game. From making big plays to loving to compete. Mesidor’s love for the game of football has not gone unnoticed by Coach Brown.
“He loves football. He does not like it, he loves football. He loves to compete. He loves to practice. He is hungry to learn,” says Brown.
Mesidor has been learning from two great teachers. He has been watching how the Stills brothers have been competing and where they have had the most success in their careers. Brown appreciates the work that has been done so far by the defensive linemen room.
“That is a good room. They feed off each other. Obviously, Darius and Dante have had a lot of success. You got Jeff [Pooler Jr.], and other young guys in that room as well. That is a room that really has good chemistry. He is pushed because of the success Darius and Dante have had,” says Brown.
On the season, Mesidor ranks second among WVU’s defensive linemen in total tackles with nine. He is also tied for third in tackles for loss with two.