Andrea Adelson Apr 15, 2026, 06:20 AM ET

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ACC reporter.

Joined ESPN.com in 2010.

Graduate of the University of Florida.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Akheem Mesidor once walked more than 2 miles in a snowstorm to get to football training in his Canadian hometown, hoping each step would lead him to just one scholarship offer.

Nearly a decade later, his scholarship secure, Mesidor found himself standing on the edge of an Olympic-sized pool on the University of Miami campus, jumping headlong into his quest to reach the NFL.

Say one thing for Mesidor: He will put in the miles.

On those weekend mornings last summer, Mesidor geared himself up for some of his most challenging work to date: swimming 1 mile, or 60 laps, so he could lose enough weight, build enough stamina and transform his body to play defensive end for his final season with the Hurricanes.…