On New Year's Eve, the University of Miami upset defending national champion Ohio State 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl, thanks in part to another strong performance from star Canadian pass rusher Achim Mesidore.
The Ottawa, Ontario native came out of the gate with two sacks in the first quarter, leading a strong Hurricanes defense. Mesidor remained disruptive throughout the game, finishing with five tackles and assisting on a game-ending interception from Buckeyes QB Julian Sayin.
The win was the second for Miami, which finished tenth in the College Football Playoff, and advanced them to the semifinals. Mesidor was also a key player.n the team's 10-3 first-round loss to Texas A&Mrecording five tackles, 1.5 sacks and 11 total pressures.
Senior in a red shirt, Mesidor. was a force to be reckoned with for the Hurricanes. Through 13 games, he 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 compiled a total of 201 tackles, 50.5 tackles for loss, 33.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and four pass breakups.
Mesidor was best player in the September ranking of the CFL scouting bureaubut is unlikely to play north of the border anytime soon. He is expected to be selected high in the 2026 NFL Draft and was ranked as the No. 18 overall prospect and second behind teammate Reuben Bane Jr. on Mel Kiper's latest big board for ESPN.
With two more wins, Mesidore and his teammate, sophomore forward Nino Francavilla from Toronto, Ont. 11th and 12th Canadians to win an NCAA national championship since the introduction of the definitive title game.. The 24-year-old will face the winner of Thursday's game between Ole Miss and Georgia in the Fiesta Bowl on January 8th at 7:30 pm EST.
