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MORGANTOWN -- There will be a gaping hole on the West Virginia University football team's defensive line this fall.
Akheem Mesidor, an anchor at defensive line during the past two seasons, has entered the transfer portal, head coach Neal Brown announced.
"Candidly, [I] was surprised. I would even say very surprised," Brown said. "Every college program in the country is dealing with some kind of loss due to the portal. We've had our share […] In some of our cases, it was the best interest of both parties. In some of our cases, I preferred for them to stay but, really, understood the reasoning. Most of the time, you really sensed them coming, but not this one."
Mesidor played in 22 games across his two seasons in Morgantown, tallying 7.5 tackles for loss, six sacks and 70 total tackles in that time. For his efforts this past season, Mesidor earned All-Big 12 Third Team honors from analyst Phil Steele, as well as All-Big 12 honorable mention from league coaches.
He is the 10th Mountaineer, as well as the fifth defensive starter, to enter the transfer portal this calendar year.
"Not upset, not angry, but I sit here more resolute, more confident and more committed in my beliefs on how to run a program than I've ever been," Brown said. "Here's what I believe: I believe in pouring into the student-athletes. I believe in going all in. I believe in building an infrastructure and surrounding them with support staff that pours into them, serves, develops them, creates a culture of accountability.
"Here's the thing: there's going to be some days that are tough, like the last day and a half, where you lose some guys that you're really, really invested in. But I believe if you do it that way, there's gonna be a lot more success stories than there are ones that go away, and I believe that with every ounce of my being."
Football adds transfer defender
Days after visiting campus, Jasir Cox is set to join the WVU football team.
"Watching my dreams unfold ... blessed to call WVU home," Cox tweeted Monday, announcing his commitment to the Mountaineers.
Cox comes to Morgantown following four seasons at FCS powerhouse North Dakota State, where he started at linebacker each of the last two seasons.
Last season, Cox finished as the team's third-leading tackler, finishing with 58 in total. He also intercepted three passes and forced a fumble en route to being named to the All-Missouri Valley Football Conference Team.
Cox told Bison Media Zone on March 1 that he wanted to step out of the role of linebacker, instead playing a safety/hybrid position. With holes throughout West Virginia's secondary, it seems likely he will initially slot in at the Spear position, which calls for a versatile playmaker.
His addition has yet to be formally announced by the football program.