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Mesidor’s impact

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Some of you guys are going to have to realize that we're not using Manny Diaz's defense anymore. Manny wanted his linemen to get up field as fast as possible to disrupt plays in the backfield. That can lead to tons of TFLs and sacks. It can also lead to players getting washed out or over-running and giving up huge plays in the running game. If you want a more disciplined defense that doesn't get gashed because of over aggressive pass rushers, you need to have guys who can do more than shoot gaps and pass rush on every play.
 
Mesidor’s best attribute is clearly his motor. He’s a little undersized. A little short on length. A little lacking in lateral mobility.

He is a fighter with borderline elite conditioning inside at DT.

I see him as an elephant end at times and as an inside rusher at times.

Wish he was a better finisher. He left a lot of “almost” plays in the backfield.

Difference in him being a great player and merely a good player is finding a way to finish at a higher rate.

Best player in defense? Maybe. It’s saying a bit more about the talent of the defense, in my view, but he’s a definite add for many reasons.

Not the least of which is what he’s going to bring to that culture with his motor. You will not play at Miami on the DL if you don’t bring your lunch pail. Too many other options now.
 
Lance Roffers said:
Mesidor’s best attribute is clearly his motor. He’s a little undersized. A little short on length. A little lacking in lateral mobility.

He is a fighter with borderline elite conditioning inside at DT.

I see him as an elephant end at times and as an inside rusher at times.

Wish he was a better finisher. He left a lot of “almost” plays in the backfield.

Difference in him being a great player and merely a good player is finding a way to finish at a higher rate.

Best player in defense? Maybe. It’s saying a bit more about the talent of the defense, in my view, but he’s a definite add for many reasons.

Not the least of which is what he’s going to bring to that culture with his motor. You will not play at Miami on the DL if you don’t bring your lunch pail. Too many other options now.
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Exactly he brings it every down with very high production, Antrell Rolle said it best you better bring it every play because you don't want to get off the field because the guy behind you might be better
 
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Costy21 said:
To me just thinking off the top of my head he’s a blend of Aaron Donald, Dwight Freeney, with the motor of JJ Watt, and the potential of Reggie White. Just thinking out loud
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Aaron Donald Lite. That's a fair comp. So big to get this guy. Get us an impact LB and we are onto something...
 
The Maryland game is all I needed to see. Mesidor is an NFL DLineman. He’s isn’t Jalen Phillips 1st round good but in terms of impact he’s on par with a Quincy Roche. He’s making plays in the backfield and all over the field as a undersized nose tackle. He’s whipping tackles around the edge. He’s knifing through double teams at the goal line. The guy can do it all. Mesidor changes the entire outlook for our defense. He’s that good.

33 pressures at nose tackle is unheard of. Top 10 in the country in pressures for all Dtackles last year. We gotta enjoy this dude while we have him. I don’t expect him to be here for long.
 
skyman said:
There was an interview with a wv guy who basically said he was their best player and thought of as an NFL guy in their program..

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Thanks for posting - it's good to hear an outside voice (particularly from the school he is leaving) saying the good things as I think we all tend to be a bit rosy about kids that are coming into the program.
 
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DMoney said:
The key for Taylor is consistency. He will get TFLs by accident but he can’t be getting washed every other play.
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I can agree with this, but with better play around him, being pushed hard and better coached he will take a big step forward. He'll be the DT we all thought he would be.
 
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So with Harvey thats now two high motors guys on the D line. I trust Manny will get the most out of Mesidor. If its at tackle great. Could play him at tackle on first and second down and throw him to D end on third down. Play your best players!!
 
As has been stated, Mesidor is a high motor guy who overcomes some of his physical shortcomings (when compared to the prototypical player), by playing at a 100 MPH on every play. This kid instantly makes everyone on the defense better because he disrupts timing and because other guys will want to play like him. This was a huge get.
 
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Swiss army knife. Put him at the edge on early downs, slide him inside on obvious passing downs.

The defense got a lot better pulling him in. Love it.
 
DMoney said:
Once it went public that Akheem Mesidor committed to Miami, I went back and watched three games from last year (Oklahoma, Virginia Tech, Maryland) and the Ok State game from his freshman year.

The big takeaway- Mesidor is the best player on our defense from Day 1. That doesn’t mean he’s the most talented, or that he will be the best by the end of the season. It would be ideal if a guy like Leonard Taylor or one of the safeties made the leap. But Mesidor’s film in 2020-2021 is better than anything we’ve seen from our current roster. Just watch him against OU (link below). At times, he looked like the best player on the field.

Two things jump out about Mesidor’s game right away: instincts and motor. He played NT last year and DE as a freshman, but his high school background as a LB shows on the field. He is hyperaware of the ball, whether he’s sniffing out screens, getting off blocks or retracing to the QB. While he can get skinny and penetrate upfield, he is not as reckless as we’ve seen the past couple years and rarely takes himself out of play. He’s also an excellent tackler.

The motor works with the instincts. There are numerous examples on film of him chasing 10-20 yards downfield and making form tackles. Check out the first play of the Maryland game (below) for an example. His motor runs hot throughout the entire game and he has excellent conditioning for a DL. He never stops working until the whistle blows.

Physically, he has outstanding bend, change of direction and coordination. He is rarely on the floor, which speaks to his balance. The big negative is the tweener body at 6’2, 270. He lacks the stout, explosive power of an elite defensive tackle and the range and speed of a top EDGE. But he is not just an overachiever. His flexibility and movement skills will give a chance to play on Sundays.

As a pass rusher, he thrives off second effort. His rush never stops until the whistle blows, and his unique bend and change of direction allows him to make sudden and sharp redirect moves to the QB. He has strong hands and will sequence a wide variety of moves until the play is over. He’s also coordinated enough to spin back into the play without losing control or balance. This ****nal made him one of the most productive pass-rushing DTs in the country last year.

His role with Miami is, first and foremost, as a tone setter. Leonard Taylor and Jared Harrison-Hunte have more size and talent, but Mesidor is the better player right now. He can push them to greatness with his motor and playmaking. His versatility gives you a lot of options on the field. The best fit may be similar to Marlon Davidson at Auburn under Coach Steele. We are a bigger team with him on the edge and a better pass rushing team with him inside. Expect him to move around.

Overall, this is a true impact player and the biggest addition in the Portal thus far. We badly needed playmakers in the front seven and that is what Mesidor brings.

He is #90 in the clips below:





Click to expand...

He sounds like a henchman of Sauron.
 
DMoney said:
Once it went public that Akheem Mesidor committed to Miami, I went back and watched three games from last year (Oklahoma, Virginia Tech, Maryland) and the Ok State game from his freshman year.

The big takeaway- Mesidor is the best player on our defense from Day 1. That doesn’t mean he’s the most talented, or that he will be the best by the end of the season. It would be ideal if a guy like Leonard Taylor or one of the safeties made the leap. But Mesidor’s film in 2020-2021 is better than anything we’ve seen from our current roster. Just watch him against OU (link below). At times, he looked like the best player on the field.

Two things jump out about Mesidor’s game right away: instincts and motor. He played NT last year and DE as a freshman, but his high school background as a LB shows on the field. He is hyperaware of the ball, whether he’s sniffing out screens, getting off blocks or retracing to the QB. While he can get skinny and penetrate upfield, he is not as reckless as we’ve seen the past couple years and rarely takes himself out of play. He’s also an excellent tackler.

The motor works with the instincts. There are numerous examples on film of him chasing 10-20 yards downfield and making form tackles. Check out the first play of the Maryland game (below) for an example. His motor runs hot throughout the entire game and he has excellent conditioning for a DL. He never stops working until the whistle blows.

Physically, he has outstanding bend, change of direction and coordination. He is rarely on the floor, which speaks to his balance. The big negative is the tweener body at 6’2, 270. He lacks the stout, explosive power of an elite defensive tackle and the range and speed of a top EDGE. But he is not just an overachiever. His flexibility and movement skills will give a chance to play on Sundays.

As a pass rusher, he thrives off second effort. His rush never stops until the whistle blows, and his unique bend and change of direction allows him to make sudden and sharp redirect moves to the QB. He has strong hands and will sequence a wide variety of moves until the play is over. He’s also coordinated enough to spin back into the play without losing control or balance. This ****nal made him one of the most productive pass-rushing DTs in the country last year.

His role with Miami is, first and foremost, as a tone setter. Leonard Taylor and Jared Harrison-Hunte have more size and talent, but Mesidor is the better player right now. He can push them to greatness with his motor and playmaking. His versatility gives you a lot of options on the field. The best fit may be similar to Marlon Davidson at Auburn under Coach Steele. We are a bigger team with him on the edge and a better pass rushing team with him inside. Expect him to move around.

Overall, this is a true impact player and the biggest addition in the Portal thus far. We badly needed playmakers in the front seven and that is what Mesidor brings.

He is #90 in the clips below:





Click to expand...

Why is he leaving WVU?

NIL?
 
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