While NFL coaching staffs typically brace for a steep learning curve with incoming rookies, Chargers defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary believes a cultural shift in college football is fundamentally changing the game.
O'Leary stated that the emergence of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation in college football is now producing first-year players who look, think, and prepare less like newcomers and more like seasoned veterans.
Addressing the media on Monday, O'Leary singled out edge rusher Akheem Mesidor, the 22nd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft out of Miami, as a prime example of a modern rookie who is prepared for the demands of the NFL.
"I think the guys getting paid in college helps them with their professionalism," O’Leary noted
when discussing the transition of young players to the professional level. "When they get here, they’re just more ready… They know what it means to treat it like a job."
Beyond the 25-year-old Mesidor's mental makeup, O’Leary expressed excitement about how he will factor into the Chargers' defensive schemes this season. Mesidor boasts inside-out flexibility, having logged significant snaps on the interior during his final collegiate years alongside his primary edge-rushing responsibilities.
O’Leary confirmed that the coaching staff plans to capitalize on this versatility by deploying unique pressure defensive packages. When asked about featuring Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, and Mesidor on the field at the same time, O'Leary didn't hesitate.
"There's a world where that would happen, no doubt," O'Leary said, highlighting his philosophy of putting as many dynamic pass rushers on the field as possible during obvious passing downs.
As the Chargers gear up for their regular-season opener against the Cardinals next Sunday, Mesidor is slated for a massive immediate role. His maturity and advanced skill set have firmly positioned him as a potential focal point of the team's front seven.
“It’s gonna be fun to watch his growth," O'Leary said.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers' Chris O'Leary praises Akheem Mesidor's mental makeup, talks role
