After a dominant performance against Wake Forest, the senior edge rusher is finally translating high-pressure potential into game-changing results for the Miami Hurricanes’ surging defensive front.
MIAMI, Fla. – Following a promising performance against Wake Forest on Friday, Miami Hurricanes defensive end Damon Wilson II could be emerging as the team’s top pass rusher, as highly anticipated since spring practices.
Although the traditional stat sheet shows the 21-year-old with a solo tackle and sack, he left a bigger impact on the field. Wilson II forced two holding calls on Wake Forest’s offensive line and a safety, all in the second half. It was much needed as the Hurricanes allowed two unanswered touchdowns.
The Venice (Fla.) native was expected to play a key role in filling the voids left by star edge rushers Akheem Mesidor and All-American Rueben Bain Jr. Last season, Wilson II had career-defining production at Missouri. He logged 23 total tackles, nine solos and 14 assists, nine sacks, and a three-yard interception against Vanderbilt. The Tigers’ star edge rusher received Second Team All-Southeastern Conference honors.
In the first two games of this season, Wilson II struggled to carve out pressure on opposing quarterbacks. However, a flip was switched against Wake Forest. Wilson II had nine total pressures, seven hurries, a sack, and a hit on quarterback Gio Lopez. The safety he caused was likely his biggest play of the season thus far, given the Hurricanes’ 75-yard offensive struggles in the second half.
Better yet, it was Wilson II’s first start of the season. He received the nod over Marquise Lightfoot, who still played a fair amount of the game: 55 total snaps. Wilson II has momentum to build on ahead of this upcoming Saturday’s matchup against Central Michigan at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Hurricanes’ pass rush will be critical for the whole defense, as the secondary navigates through injuries to three cornerbacks (Romanas “OJ” Frederique Jr., Xavier Lucas, and Ja’Boree Antoine), including two starters.
Wilson II currently has a 58.8 Pro Football Focus overall grade for the season:
- 53.7 in run defense
- 29.8 in tackling
- 69.8 in pass rushing
- 63.4 in coverage
There is context to the low tackling grade. Wilson II had a 23.1 grade against Stanford, then a 72.2 in back-to-back games against Florida A&M and Wake Forest. The more snaps he plays, the more comfortable he’ll get in the Hurricanes’ system, resulting in more impactful plays.
Wilson II will be eligible for the 2027 NFL Draft, which makes this season all the more important as he contributes to an early National Championship contender.
Anthony Aguirre covers the Miami Hurricanes and Miami Heat for Roundtable Sports. Contact info for tips/info: [email protected] & 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
