Akheem Mesidor expects playing inside and out on defensive line for Miami football

Akheem Mesidor expects to play all over the defensive line for the Miami football team in 2024 after missing most of the 2023 season with foot injuries.

The return of defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor proves the Miami football program with more experience and depth entering the 2024 season. Mesidor returns for Miami after his season ended after two games in 2023 because of a foot injury.

Miami will have a lot of versatility on the 2024 DL. Rueben Bain earned the 2023 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year and has the ability to play edge rusher or inside like Mesidor. Defensive tackle Jared Harrison-Hunte was utilized as an edge rusher in 2023, with Nyjalik Kelly and Mesdior out for most of the season at defensive end.

Miami added productive edge rusher Elijah Alston from Marshall. The addition of Alston will allow Lance Guidry flexibility on the DL. With Alston and Kelly on the edge, Bain and Mesidor can slide inside on passing downs. Miami maximizes the players in the game with four excellent edge rushers.

Miami will have more depth on the DL this season with the addition of Alston and Kelly and Mesidor returning from injury. Freshmen Armondo Blount, Justin Scott and Marquise Lightfoot should all have opportunities to play in 2024. Miami signed the best DL in the 2024 class.

Asked about Bain on Tuesday, Mesidor said “Now me and Rueben are going to cause destruction together.” Miami should be able to improve on their numbers of 6.77 tackles per loss per game (18th nationally) and 2.69 sacks per game (22nd). Guidry will be able to rotate several DL in 2024.

Expect Mesidor to have a bounce-back season in his final year of college. Mesidor should be one of the leaders of the Miami DL entering his third season with the Hurricanes. Opponents will have a difficult time game-planning against the Miami DL. Miami has the potential for a dominant DL in 2024.