![Florida Gators quarterback Aidan Warner (16) throws while being pressured by Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Damon Wilson II (10) during the second half at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, November 2, 2024. The Bulldogs defeated the Gators 34-20. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_2106,h_1184/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/200/01jh0xgg4xx4875wkysq.jpg "Florida Gators quarterback Aidan Warner (16) throws while being pressured by Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Damon Wilson II (10) during the second half at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, November 2, 2024. The Bulldogs defeated the Gators 34-20. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]")
David Lake of Inside the U discussed as part of their "Transfer Portal Spotlight: DE Damon Wilson brings pass rushing speed off the edge" being a potential strong fit for Miami in 2025. Miami loses Elijah Alston and Tyler Baron at edge-rusher from the 2024 roster.
Rueben Bain and potentially Akheem Mesidor are the only returning experienced edge-rushers for the Miami Hurricanes in 2025. Mesidor has one year of eligibility remaining and a decision to make about returning to Miami or entering the 2025 NFL Draft. Wilson is listed by Georgia as an outside linebacker and has two years of eligibility remaining.
Wilson posted 26 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in two seasons with Georgia. Wilson's most productive season was in 2024 with 22 tackles, 6.0 TFLs and 3.0 sacks with both of his forced fumbles and fumble recoveries occurring this past season.
Miami should pursue Georgia transfer Damon Wilson now that he's in the portal
Miami returns 2024 four-star edge-rusher signees Marquise Lightfoot, Booker Pickett Jr. and Elias Rudolph and three-star Cole McConathy. One or two of the three need to take a big step forward and become a contributor to Miami in 2025. Wilson would help stabilize the Miami defensive line and provide needed experience.
Miami was involved in the recruitment of the former 5 ⭐️ Venice (FL) DE prospect.
— Marcus Benjamin (@BenjaminRivals) January 6, 2025
High upside, with 2 years of eligibility remaining. https://t.co/8bZfy461nZ https://t.co/SWiSI5J8RN
Wilson had two tackles and a quarterback hit with five pressures (per Lake) in the Sugar Bowl loss to Notre Dame. Graham Coffey of the Georgia site Dawgs Central stated on X "Wilson wants to be in a scheme where he can make more plays." That will be impacted based on who Miami hires as their next defensive coordinator.
Lake stated that Wilson excelled most when rushing the passer. Wilson played five games with at least 18 pass-rushing snaps and had 16 pressures and three sacks in those games per Lake. Wilson had his 2024 season-high four tackles versus Kentucky, but never had more than one sack in any game.
Malik Bryant returns for his third season with Miami in 2025. Bryant had 17 tackles, 5.0 TFLs and 1.5 sacks in 2024 as a redshirt freshman after beginning his career as a linebacker. According to Lake, Bryant had 11 pressures in 160 defensive snaps. Louisiana Tech transfer David Blay is the lone DL Miami has added for 2025.