Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Akheem Mesidor is far from your average rookie.
For one, he's 25 years old, a year younger than fellow defensive stalwart Daiyan Henley, whom the Chargers drafted in 2023. Linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu, also part of the 2023 draft class, is a year younger than Mesidor.
Safety Derwin James Jr. laughed when told that Mesidor is older than Tuipulotu, one of the Chargers' top young defensive talents. James agreed it's weird, but emphasized there's no age limit on playing. When one's number is called, it's about going out there and playing.
And what he's seen so far from the first-round pick led to a bold declaration.
"[Mesidor's] a beast, bro. He's going to be one of the top edges in this league. I can't wait," James said. "I keep seeing him ascend. Very smart, don't say too many words. Just shows up to work, and I feel like he's a great reason why the defense is one of the top ones for sure."
Judging by Mesidor's performance through seven weeks, James' prediction may not be far off the mark.
His 24 tackles are the tied for fifth on the team, while his 2.5 sacks rank second and five quarterback hits are tied for third. That production comes on 191 total snaps, which ranks fifth among the team's linebackers.
Mesidor's breakout came in Week 5 against the Denver Broncos when he led the team in tackles with eight while forcing a fumble on a sack of quarterback Bo Nix (the Broncos recovered it). Mesidor forced another fumble while tackling Nix late in the third quarter, and Tuipulotu gobbled it up.
The common adjective to describe Mesidor's play is a simple one that travels throughout the locker room: violent. Whether it's on a bull rush or the way he slides or cross chops, Mesidor exudes enough energy for quarterbacks to feel his cleats flying off the turf.
Another common description of Mesidor: a player with a high motor, and the type of work ethic the Ottawa product needed to become one of the few NFL players from that region.
Combine those two qualities, and it has resulted in what coach Jim Harbaugh said is "consistently good" and "high-level football." It's not just flashes.
"The first couple games you feel like maybe he was feeling it out a little bit," said defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary. "But this is a guy that's now playing the way we expect him to play, which is fast and violent, and then letting his tools and his traits show up."
Mesidor entered a linebacker room already full of talent. Khalil Mack is bound for Canton, Tuipulotu had a team-high 13 sacks last season, and Henley led the team in tackles last season with 103.
Still, Mesidor is who O'Leary declared as "the standard as far as our effort goes." James said Mesidor is always one of the first on the practice field and last to leave.
Tuipulotu told ESPN that the 6-foot-3, 280-pound rookie is "just a pro" and understands what he needs to do to be the best version of himself. He goes to players like Mack, Tuipulotu and veteran linebacker Bud Dupree for advice, asks questions in meetings and stays well prepared. It has helped him overcome some of the common obstacles rookies face.
"Obviously, he's been bringing the pass rush, man. He's pass rushing at a high level and rookies ... that's what I mean as a rookie: When I came in, I had trouble rushing my rookie year." Tuipulotu said. "But he's been rushing very well, and I'm happy about that."
The presence of Mack has also had a big impact. Mesidor is his own player, but after seeing how Mack operates, the rookie has tried to apply those same principles to his game. He'll ask questions and pick the brain of a three-time All-Pro with 116 career sacks.
Mack likes what he sees so far from Mesidor.
"The different intangibles you need on the edge. Speed. Obviously, the explosiveness. His ability to get off blocks and make tackles. I feel like his tackling was underrated," Mack said. "He's a great tackler and yeah, his ability to get to the ball. His hustle up on the back side of plays, he's chasing stuff down on screens. Yeah, it's just impressive."