Akheem Mesidor ONE-ON-ONE with David Pollack on Miami-Indiana National Championship

Summary

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See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode: Akheem Mesidor ONE-ON-ONE on Miami-Indiana National Championship
Date: January 16, 2026
Host: David Pollack
Guest: Akheem Mesidor, Miami Hurricanes star defensive lineman

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Episode Overview

In this National Championship special, David Pollack sits down with Akheem Mesidor, a key figure on Miami’s defensive line, to discuss Miami's road to the title game against the favored Indiana Hoosiers. The conversation covers Mesidor’s transfer to Miami, inside stories about the Canes’ culture and preparation, coaching under Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, leadership on the squad, and what to expect from their championship opponent.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Choosing Miami & First Impressions (01:00–01:54)

• Why Miami?
  • Mesidor explains that the program's history was compelling, but he was truly drawn in by the energy at practice, with players, coaches, and staff all contributing to a highly competitive environment.
    • "I came out to practice... everybody had a ton of energy. Not just the players, but the coaches, the strength staff running up and down the sideline... I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of." — Akheem Mesidor (01:32)

2. The Drama of Selection Sunday (01:54–03:13)

• Anxieties and Doubts:
  • Mesidor shares the tense atmosphere as the team awaited playoff selection, feeling their achievements were continually downplayed by media narratives.
    • "I was super nervous... they tossed all the good things we did to the side and focused on the negative... when I finally saw the U pop up, I was super excited." — Akheem Mesidor (02:08)
• Embracing the Gauntlet:
  • Miami faced a tough playoff path: Texas A&M, Ohio State, Ole Miss, then undefeated Indiana.
    • "After we've been through all them games going into this national championship, now nobody can, you know, nobody can count us out." — Akheem Mesidor (02:54)

3. Being an Underdog (03:13–03:35)

• Comfortable as the Underdog:
  • Mesidor isn’t fazed by Miami being significant underdogs.
    • "That's fine. I like being underdog. I've been an underdog my whole life." — Akheem Mesidor (03:31)

4. Learning from Jason Taylor (03:35–04:38)

• Impact of a Hall of Fame Coach:
  • Jason Taylor’s mentoring is described as key to both technique and mentality.
    • "It's awesome. He's, you know, he's like a big brother to me... football is like 80% mental, 20 physical... pass rushing is simple... It's really just simple." — Akheem Mesidor (03:53)

5. Teammates: Athleticism & Grit (04:38–06:11)

• Most Athletic Hurricane:
  • Joshua is named as the most athletic player, praised for size and agility.
    • "He's super athletic. He's tall, 6'4, 6'5..." — Akheem Mesidor (04:42)
• Work Ethic of Malachi Tony:
  • Malachi set himself apart even before spring ball, with legendary late-night solo practice.
    • "He'd be here late... alone, catching jugs and stuff." — Akheem Mesidor (06:11)

6. Carson Beck’s Leadership (06:37–07:41)

• Transition and Chemistry:
  • Beck, a transfer QB, quietly built relationships and ultimately became a respected leader.
    • "First meeting Carson, he's super quiet... But he's a genuine guy. He's a nice guy. And he's a leader." — Akheem Mesidor (06:52)

7. Locker Room Vibes: Trash Talk & Player Dynamics (07:41–08:00)

• Best Trash Talker:
  • Immediately identifies Cooper as the “loudest” in locker room banter.
    • "He just talks the most. He won't stop." — Akheem Mesidor (07:51)

8. Inside Mario Cristobal (08:00–08:47)

• Coach’s Authenticity:
  • Confirms Cristobal’s intense, physical persona is the same on and off camera.
    • "He loves UFC. He always wants to fight. Talking about fighting and stuff being physical... he's the same guy every day." — Akheem Mesidor (08:20)
• Playful Banter:
  • Mesidor quips about dominating against Cristobal’s own playing days.
    • "He tries to trash talk about his pass set, but I tell him I kill him every time." — Akheem Mesidor (08:47)

9. Practice Battles: Offensive Line Adversaries (08:47–09:02)

• Hardest Lineman to Face:
  • Markel gets the nod for his length and difficulty in drills.

10. Scouting Indiana & Fernando Mendoza (09:02–10:00)

• Indiana’s Identity:
  • The team is disciplined, experienced, and built around high-effort transfers and a dynamic QB.
    • "They're not the most talented... they're older... they're super disciplined. They love to run the ball... Mendoza, he can throw the ball... super accurate, smart, patient." — Akheem Mesidor (09:21)

11. Mesidor vs. Reuben Bane: The Competition (10:00–10:38)

• Deflects the Rivalry:
  • On who’s better between him and Bane:
    • "I'm tired of this question. Y' all gonna have to see." — Akheem Mesidor (10:06)
• The Edge of Competition:
  • Pollack reflects on the importance of pushing each other, with Mesidor confirming constant extra work.

12. Closing: Season Accomplishments & Next Steps (10:38–10:57)

• Pollack Congratulates Mesidor:
  • A nod to the hard-fought season and NFL aspirations ahead.
    • "Congratulations on the season, man. Hey, job's not done, right?... Congrats on a great season, man." — David Pollack (10:38)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On transferring to Miami:
  "I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of." — Akheem Mesidor (01:32)
• On Selection Sunday stress:
  "They tossed all our, all the good things we did to the side and focused on the negative." — Akheem Mesidor (02:08)
• On Jason Taylor’s coaching:
  "Pass rushing is simple... whatever your favorite move is, bend the corner... It's really just simple." — Akheem Mesidor (03:53)
• On the culture under Cristobal:
  "He's the same guy every day. He loves UFC. He always wants to fight." — Akheem Mesidor (08:20)
• When asked about Reuben Bane rivalry:
  "Y' all just gonna have to see. I'm tired of this question." — Akheem Mesidor (10:06)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Why Miami? — 01:32
• Selection Sunday Emotions — 02:08
• Underdog Mentality — 03:31
• Jason Taylor’s Influence — 03:53
• Athleticism on the Team — 04:42
• Malachi Tony Work Ethic — 06:11
• Carson Beck’s Leadership — 06:52
• Best Trash Talker — 07:51
• Coach Cristobal’s Character — 08:20
• Indiana Scouting Report — 09:21
• Bane vs. Mesidor Rivalry — 10:06

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Tone and Flow

The episode is candid, fast-paced, and filled with football insight. Mesidor is open and poised, with a competitive edge; Pollack’s style brings out stories, humor, and authenticity. The focus is on culture, preparation, overcoming doubt, and the hunger for greatness, all told through unfiltered locker room language and high-energy banter.

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For listeners seeking insight into Miami’s rise, upcoming talent, and the state of national championship football in 2026, this episode is a go-to.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

All right, next we got a pass rushing specialist. No greater guest you can get on C ball, get ball. Akeem. It's, it's C ball. Get ball. Because I played defensive line, man, I'm not bright enough. I just needed to see the ball, go get it. So it's good to have one of the best guys in the country that goes and sees the ball and gets the ball still in his practice uni from the field, working, getting some extra rep. When you were in the transfer portal and you were deciding where you wanted to go, why did you pick Miami?

[C]

Well, the history speaks for itself. But what really got me is when I came out to practice and I seen, you know, indy one on ones teamed and like everybody had a ton of energy. Not just the players, but the coaches, the strength staff running up and down the sideline. It was just hectic. It was crazy. And I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of.

[B]

What was it like, man, on, on selection Saturday or Sunday? And you guys were sitting there waiting. Like, what, what was the feelings inside? What were the conversations y' all were having? Like, did you feel confident? Did you feel. What were you feeling?

[C]

I was nervous. I was here in the, in the building. I was super nervous just watching it. I didn't, I knew we should be in but like everybody in the world was just saying whatever was saying anything to exclude us. Like, doesn't matter what it is. They are one against Notre Dame. What? They just sugarcoated everything. They, they, they tossed all our, all the good things we did to the side and focused on the Negative. And they were saying anything just to keep us out. And then when I finally saw the U pop up, I was super excited. Not. I was super excited because of the neck. The following game was A and M in front of 100,000. And, like, that's my favorite environment to play in when everybody's against us. So when I knew we were going to have a gauntlet, the hardest path to the national championship, going from A and M to Ohio State to Ole Miss, then to number one Indiana, it's like after. After that, after we've been through all them games going into this national championship, now nobody can, you know, nobody can count us out. Nobody can say we didn't belong in the playoffs.

[B]

But now people are. I'm sure you're hearing it now. Now people are saying Indiana is going to run away. They're favored by a lot. Like, I'm pretty sure knowing your coach and knowing your culture, you guys are talking about that. And now you're. You're a significant underdog in this football game.

[C]

That's fine. I like being underdog. I've been an underdog my whole life.

[B]

Well, when. When you look at. I don't think people know this, man. Jason Taylor is your. Is your defensive line coach. Like, what's it like having a dude that's a Hall of Famer? Like, he's not just good, like, one of the best to ever do it, and teaching you guys how to rush the passer. And what have you learned from Jason Taylor?

[C]

It's awesome. He's, you know, he's like a big brother to me and Reuben and guys like that, the older guys. But it's huge because, you know, you get to pick his brain. You know, football is. Is like 80% mental, 20 physical. Like, it's all about what you got going up here. But I've been able to pick his brain, see, like, what he would do different during. Against different looks and stuff like that. When it comes to pass rushing, like Eliz told us, pass rushing is simple. It's really just, you know, whatever your favorite move is, bend the corner. If it doesn't work, don't get past the quarterback. It's your main move. And a counter off that. It's really just simple. So it's been huge having having them coach us.

[B]

Yeah. Who's the. Who's the most athletic guy on your team?

[C]

On our team. Yeah. I was talking to Reuben about this. I'm not gonna lie. I'd probably. I'd probably say Joshua. All right, Joshua. He's. He's super athletic. He's tall, 6, 4, 6, 5, you know, but I think it's him.

[B]

Okay. When you, when you see Malachi Tony coming this year, man, like, when did you know that dude was that dude?

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[C]

In practice. And not even that. You can even tell that he's going to be special because before spring ball, he'd be here late. I'd be walking out the building late as hell. He's alone, catching jugs and stuff.

[B]

When he's right there, huh?

[C]

He was right there.

[B]

He was right there. He was right there. Working. Still working. And you're, and you're late from practice. Still working.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

When you, when you look at Carson Beck coming in, how did he, how did he get to know you guys? How did he get to be a leader on the team? Like, what, what were your first impressions and how has he been a leader on this football team?

[C]

Well, first meeting Carson, he's super quiet. Like, he's, he's a guy that's to himself. A lot of people might view it as, you know, might view it negatively, but I understand, bro. Like, you want to be in your cocoon. You want to be to yourself. You're, you're around a hundred new faces. It's really, it's really hard to be outgoing and try to be something you're not. But he's a quiet guy, but he slowly, you know, talked to different guys, got the receivers together, the old line together. Much of his house, I approach him, I talked to him, introduce myself, make sure he was at home. And then he slowly just built a relationship with everybody. But at first he's quiet. And I don't, I don't blame anybody for being quiet. Don't change who you are. But he's a genuine guy. He's a nice guy. And He's a leader. He, he's been in the running program. He's been here before. This is not his first time in the national championship. He knows what winning ball looks like, and he's just been great.

[B]

Who's the best trash talker on the football team?

[C]

Cooper? He don't.

[B]

I don't think he didn't even hesitate, by the way. You didn't even hesitate.

[C]

He's not, he's not. It's not that he's the best trash sucker is that he just talks the most. He won't stop. He will not stop when, when you.

[B]

When you, when you talk about, you know, your squad and when you talk about your leader, Coach Cristobal, like, give me a story on Coach Crystal Ball that people haven't heard. Like, just. We see the, like, intensity on the sideline. We see like the, like, we hear him talk about physicality. Like, what's something we don't know about Mario Cristobal?

[C]

I think, like, everything you guys see during the interviews and stuff is exactly how he is. I've been asked this question so many times, I don't have any specific moment. Like, he's the same guy that you guys see on TV or whatnot in person. Like, he loves ufc. He always wants to fight. Talking about fighting and stuff being physical. Like, he's the same guy every day. He's the same guy on TV that he is in person except for he.

[B]

Do, do you ever. Do you remind him that he couldn't play for this offensive line?

[C]

I don't tell him, but he tries to trash talk about his pass set, but I tell him I kill him every time.

[B]

Who's the, who's the hardest guy to go against on your. In your offensive line?

[C]

Probably Markel because he got them long arms. Long arms.

[B]

All right, so I'll get, I'll get you out of here after asking you about this. What, what have you seen from Indiana and Fernando Mendoza, the, the future number one pick in the draft, the Heisman Trophy winner. Like, I know you guys have been studying and watching. Like, what, what, what challenges does Indiana present to you guys?

[C]

Neanderthal is a super disciplined group. Like, they're not. They're not. They don't. They didn't. They didn't. They didn't. They're not the most talented coming out of high school. Whatever they are. They're not. They're older team as well. A lot of transfers from JMU and stuff. I think a lot of those guys individually were all underdogs their whole life. And they're fighting to prove something, just like we are. But they're super disciplined. They love to run the ball. They have a lot of success running the ball. Mendoza, he can throw the ball. If he has to, he put it in his hands. He's super accurate. He's smart, he's patient. He can move around a little bit. They're really a complete group. They work really hard. But the most important thing is that they're super disciplined.

[B]

All right, last question. I promise. Who's better, Reuben Bane or Akeem Mezador?

[C]

And y' all just gonna have to see. I'm. I'm tired of this question. Y' all gonna have to see.

[B]

Is it three or is it four?

[C]

That.

[B]

That's. That's the good thing. Hey, I remember I was. When I was in playing, like, every. Every game that I'd go check the. The SEC leaderboard, like, the sacks, the stats. I'm like, I gotta be number one. I gotta be number one. There's guys I'm always competing with. I can't imagine that that doesn't make y' all so much better, having each other to push each other and work with each other and get better.

[C]

Yeah, he just walked by me. He was getting work with me as well. So.

[B]

So y' all just stay. You got you and Malachi, everybody staying late getting work. Well, congratulations on the season, man. Hey, job's not done right? Like. Like, you got it. You got to get some work done in Miami. But congrats on a great season, man. And I know more to come in the NFL for you and a lot of your teammates, so congratulations, brother.

[C]

Thank you, man. I appreciate it.

[B]

Have a good one, brother. Thank you so much.

[C]

Take care.

[A]

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