Damon Wilson II, a standout transfer from Missouri, has announced his decision to join the Miami Hurricanes, marking a significant addition to the team’s defense. Ranked as the top available defensive prospect in 247Sports’ Transfer Rankings, Wilson was highly sought after, ultimately choosing Miami over programs such as Texas Tech and LSU.
This move makes Wilson the third school he will attend within three years. After transferring to Missouri ahead of the 2025 season, he enjoyed a breakout year, leading the Tigers with nine sacks and ranking third in the SEC. His impressive performance earned him second-team All-SEC honors, with notable contributions including 12 quarterback pressures and an interception. Wilson consistently demonstrated his abilities, recording at least one sack in four SEC games, highlighted by a two-sack performance against Alabama in a closely contested match.
Coming from Venice, Florida, Wilson was a top-50 high school prospect and began his collegiate career at Georgia. He had limited action during his freshman year but began to shine in his second season with 22 total tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Adding Wilson to the roster is pivotal for Miami, which is looking to address the loss of its top two pass rushers from the previous season’s national runner-up team. Rueben Bain Jr., who is highly regarded heading into the 2026 NFL Draft with five sacks during Miami’s College Football Playoff run, along with Akheem Mesidor, who led the team with 12.5 sacks, have both moved on to pursue NFL careers.
Wilson is set to fill a crucial role in Miami’s defense, likely lining up alongside returning EDGE Marquise Lightfoot, who had 2.5 sacks in a secondary role. This integration is expected to help maintain the team’s competitive edge in the upcoming season, showcasing Miami’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its defensive capabilities through strategic transfers.