Miami Hurricanes Land Edge Rusher Damon Wilson II

The Miami Hurricanes bolstered their defensive line Thursday with the commitment of edge rusher Damon Wilson II from the transfer portal, addressing key losses ahead of the 2026 season.

Wilson, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound senior, transferred from Missouri after a breakout year that saw him record nine sacks, tying for third in the Southeastern Conference. He finished with 23 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and his first career interception in a game against Vanderbilt. According to Pro Football Focus, Wilson generated 54 quarterback pressures, ranking among the top performers nationally. Over three collegiate seasons split between Georgia and Missouri, he has amassed 47 tackles, 12.5 sacks, one interception, two pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.

The addition comes at a critical juncture for Miami, which lost its top edge rushers, Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, to the NFL draft process. Both players are projected as first-round picks in 2026 and were instrumental in a defense that ranked fifth nationally in points allowed at 14.8 per game and 12th in total yards at 294.1 per game during the 2025 season. The Hurricanes fell 27-21 to Indiana in the...