They came to Miami hoping to make a difference, hoping to change a program.

Akheem Mesidor arrived first, a transfer who endured a 5-7 season and persevered, believing in the vision of then first-year Miami head coach Mario Cristobal.

Then, hometown standout Rueben Bain Jr. and five-star prospect Francis Mauigoa signed with the Hurricanes, despite watching that 2022 team struggle.

Like Mesidor, they had faith in Cristobal, in Miami’s future and in themselves.

On Thursday night, just three months after helping lead the Hurricanes through a magical College Football Playoff run, all three became first-round NFL Draft picks.

Mauigoa, a three-year starter and first-team All-American offensive lineman, was the first to hear his name called when the New York Giants selected him 10^th overall.

Bain – the ACC Defensive Player of the Year – was next, selected 15^th by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Finally, Mesidor rounded out Miami’s memorable first round, going to the Los Angeles Chargers with the 22^nd overall pick.

It marked the first time since 2007 that three Hurricanes were selected in the first round, and the second straight year Miami has produced at least one first-round pick, following quarterback Cam Ward going No. 1 to the Tennessee Titans last year.

In many ways, Thursday was yet another sign of the progress Miami has made since Cristobal returned to lead his alma mater.

It was also an unforgettable moment for three Hurricanes whose dreams of playing in the NFL will become a reality soon enough.

“It’s such a relief, knowing that I was fortunate enough to get my name called tonight no matter where it was,” said Bain, who had 54 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks during Miami’s 13-win season last fall. “Having my name called has been a dream for the last 17 years … having it come true is a great feeling and the cherry on top is staying in Florida, man. … It’s going to be a familiar atmosphere for me. I’m just excited.”

Said Mesidor, “I’m very excited and I finally know where I’m going and I can’t wait to get there and move all my stuff out to the West Coast. I’m ready.”

For Mauigoa, being a first-round pick is something to celebrate. Heading to New York only makes it that much more special.

Mauigoa’s older brother Francisco is a linebacker for the New York Jets and on Thursday, Francis Mauigoa couldn’t help but marvel at the fact the pair – who learned how to play football in their native American Samoa and were teammates at Miami – will be relatively close to each other once again.

“College was different, because we got to choose. The NFL is different. Now the teams get to choose,” Francis Mauigoa said. “I’m really excited to be near my brother and be able to work out with him again and be able to sharpen our tools again.”

Bain, too, has some family ties to his new team.

In a draft night conference call with reporters, Bain shared that not only does he have family in the Tampa Bay area, but that his cousin, cornerback Carlton Davis III, played for the Buccaneers from 2018-2023.

Like his Miami teammates, family played a big part of Mesidor’s draft night experience, too.

The defensive end, who had a career-high 63 tackles and led the Hurricanes with 17.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks last season, wasn’t in Pittsburgh at the draft like his two Miami teammates.

Instead, he spent draft night in his native Canada and was surrounded by family and friends when he learned he would be joining the Chargers.

And Mesidor, who became just the sixth Canadian-born player to be drafted in the first round, made it clear he was ready to dive into the next step of an improbable career that’s taken him from Ottawa to Clearwater, to West Virginia, Miami and now California.

“I’ve been doubted my whole life. None of this is going to come new to me,” said the 25-year-old Mesidor, when asked about his age and how he thinks that might have impacted his draft stock. “I’m ready to come in, earn the respect of my teammates and my coaches and compete. The age stuff, any of the negativity that people push into the media about me is all out the window. It does not phase me. I’m here to play football.”

With the draft now behind them, Mauigoa, Bain and Mesidor are set to join their new teams in the coming days.

There will be more press conferences. They’ll meet new teammates and coaches. They’ll begin adjusting to life in their new homes.

But all three of them are confident that they’re ready for what’s next, especially after the experiences they gained as Hurricanes.

“It’s a credit to us, [it’s] a credit to Coach Cristobal and [defensive line coach Jason] Taylor and how we came about our work each and every day on Greentree, or any stadium home or away,” Bain said. “We care about football so much and I feel like you saw it in our play.”