Mizzou is losing former edge rushing star Damon Wilson II to Miami, according to a report by ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Thursday afternoon.
Thamel reported that the No. 9 overall player on ESPN’s transfer portal board is headed to the Hurricanes after committing to Mario Cristobal‘s burgeoning program. Wilson would be joining Miami in the aftermath of the Canes’ run to the national title game. Miami ultimately fell short against Indiana, but Wilson apparently wants to be a part of trying to get the Hurricanes over the top in 2026.
Wilson earned 2nd-team All-SEC honors during the 2025 season, finishing 3rd in the conference with 9 sacks and leading Mizzou with 12 quarterback hurries. The native of Venice, Fla., would be returning to his home state to play at Miami after spending just 1 season at Mizzou following 2 years at Georgia. Wilson was a 5-star recruit in the Class of 2023 who appeared in 26 games over those 2 years at Georgia before heading to Columbia and making a name for himself.
In 13 games during his special 2025 season at Mizzou, Wilson finished with 23 tackles, 9.5 tackles-for-loss and those 9 big sacks. According to Pro Football Focus, Wilson also piled up 54 quarterback pressures, which was one of the highest rates in college football.
Now, Wilson will reportedly be taking his talents to Miami, where he’ll be trying to help replace the star duo of Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Wilson would also be stepping into uncharted territory in the ACC after 3 seasons in the SEC at Georgia and Mizzou.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
