PITTSBURGH — The Los Angeles Chargers selected Canadian defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor in the first round, No. 22 overall, of the NFL draft on Thursday.
Mesidor, who played collegiately at Miami, becomes the sixth Canadian-born player taken in the first round but is the first defensive player to achieve the milestone.
The Chargers’ selection of Mesidor, from Ottawa, means at least one Canadian has been taken in the NFL draft since 2011.
The six-foot-three 265-pound Mesidor enjoyed a stellar 2025 season at Miami, starting 15 games and registering 63 tackles (36 solo, 17.5 for loss) with 12.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.
The 25-year-old Mesidor finished the year by recording three tackles (two solo) and two sacks in the Hurricanes’ 27-21 NCAA championship loss to Indiana.
Mesdior was an All-ACC first-team selection. He played his first two collegiate seasons at West Virginia and started 52 of 65 career NCAA games, recording 205 tackles (121 solo, 50.5 for loss) and 33.5 sacks.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 23, 2026.
The Canadian Press
