Unlike Curt Cignetti, Mario Cristobal appeared to put off addressing the transfer portal and his 2026 roster until after the National Championship Game. Now, he’s making up for lost time. Of course, there’s the Darian Mensah move and the legal dispute that has ensued, but that’s not the only splash the Hurricanes have made since their season ended in heartbreak on Monday night at Hard Rock Stadium.
Mensah is, likely/hopefully, coming to replace Carson Beck. But who will fill Rueben Bain’s shoes as the defensive leader? Sure, 2024 five-star Marquise Lightfoot is ready to step into a larger role next season with Bain and Akheem Mesidor both off to the NFL, but will 2025 five-star Hayden Lowe be ready to contribute by then?
Cristobal, seemingly, is not taking that chance. Instead, he’s targeting Missouri transfer and former five-star Damon Wilson II for his final season of eligibility. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound edge rusher began his career at Georgia, but had a breakout season with the Tigers in 2025, recording 54 quarterback pressures and nine sacks.
He is the second-highest-ranked uncommitted transfer in the country according to 247Sports Composite rankings and the No. 3 EDGE in this year’s portal class according to Saturday Blitz’s rankings. On Wednesday, Stephen Wagner of On3 logged an official prediction for The U to land Wilson out of the portal.
Miami predicted to land Missouri transfer and top uncommitted EDGE Damon Wilson II
Wilson was one of the most productive edge rushers in the country last season. His 54 pressure ranked 13th in the country. Bain ranked first with 83, and Mesidor slotted in at No. 4 at 67 pressures.
Miami had clearly the most dominant pass-rushing duo in the country this year, and that was a huge key to Corey Hetherman’s turnaround in his first year as the program’s defensive coordinator. It’s hard to imagine replacing that level of production, but if Cristobal can land Wilson, it will ease that burden on Hetherman, Lightfoot, and Lowe, who didn’t play a single defensive snap in 2025.
With another productive edge rusher on the roster, Hetherman’s system may not have to undergo a major overhaul in the offseason. Still, he’s not Bain. Wilson’s 13.5 percent pass-rush win-rate ranked 42nd in the country, a far cry from Bain’s 23.5 percent or even Mesidor’s 20.8 percent.
Miami needs Wilson, but even with him, the Canes' defense will almost inevitably take a step back in 2026.