The Los Angeles Chargers have selected linebacker Akheem Mesidor of Ottawa, Ontario in the first round of the 2026 National Football League Draft (22nd overall) on Thursday. Mesidor made Canadian sports history as he is the first ever Canadian defensive player selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Mesidor played the past four seasons with the University of Miami Hurricanes. In 2025, he had 63 combined tackles (38 solo tackles and 25 assisted tackles), 17.5 tackles for a loss, and 12.5 sacks. The 12.5 sacks led the Atlantic Coast Conference, and was the third most in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The only two players with more sacks were Nadame Tucker of Western Michigan and David Bailey of Texas Tech University. Bailey was drafted second overall by the New York Jets.
In addition to playing four seasons at the University of Miami, Mesidor played two seasons at West Virginia from 2020 to 2021. In 65 games overall, Mesidor had 208 combined tackles (123 solo tackles and 85 assisted tackles), 52.5 tackles for a loss, 35.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and four pass deflections.
Mesiodor is one of two Canadians on the Chargers. The other is cornerback Deane Leonard of Calgary, Alberta.
Mesidor is the seventh Canadian all-time to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft according to JC Abbott of 3downnation.com. He follows offensive lineman Mike Schad of Trenton, Ontario (23rd overall by the Los Angeles Rams in 1986), offensive lineman Tony Mandarich of Oakville, Ontario (second overall by the Green Bay Packers in 1989), running back Tim Biakabutuka of Montreal, Quebec (eighth overall by the Carolina Panthers in 1996), offensive lineman Danny Watkins of Kelowna, British Columbia (23rd overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011), wide receiver N’Keal Harry of Toronto, Ontario (32nd overall by the New England Patriots in 2019), and tight end Dalton Kincaid of Sarnia, Ontario (25th overall by the Buffalo Bills in 2023).
