It is the day and age we live in. When it comes to the wonderful world of NIL, top-flight players come and go all the time. While Damon Wilson II expected big things for himself out of high school at Georgia, he left the program under two offseasons ago under great scrutiny. He went to Missouri, but breached his contract with Georgia over NIL compensation. Now he is off to play for Miami this year.
During a ride-along, Wilson explained why he decided to leave UGA for Mizzou, and then for The U.
"Went to Georgia for two years. Didn't go as planned. Got better and everything, but your boy wanted to pass rush. 50 percent of my reps in this scheme were in pass coverage, so gotta go to Mizzou. Got nine sacks, Second-Team All-SEC in one year. See Miami lost both of its top edge rushers. Had to come here."
Georgia could have really used Wilson's pass-rushing prowess a year ago, but it was not meant to be.
Funny how everyone that runs from a little physicality and competition goes to Miami hahaha https://t.co/5eDp8VHe4g
— Baxter Street Boys (@baxstboys) April 29, 2026
There are a lot of layers to what all Wilson said about Georgia, let's now do our best to unpack them.
Damon Wilson II proves he was never meant to be a Georgia football star
When you choose to come play at a place like Georgia, early playing time is not even close to a guarantee. There are so many great players ahead of you on the depth chart by the time you arrive on campus. It is how Kirby Smart has built up his alma mater's football program. If you stay, good things will happen. James Cook stayed, and look at what he did. He led the NFL in rushing, and is graduating.
Wilson went to Linebacker U, but envisioned himself as an edge rusher. Him being versatile would have been a huge help in Glenn Schumann's defense a year ago. While Georgia won the SEC and made it back to the playoff, Missouri was only a so-so team in the SEC a year ago. Now that Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor are off to the NFL, leave it to Wilson to gravy train it with some sacks...
When you go to a place where iron regularly sharpens iron, do not be offended if you get cut with a blade. This is what makes Georgia football so special now, and what made Alabama the greatest dynasty we have ever seen under Nick Saban not all that long ago. Miami should be a playoff team once again, but it is a new collection of individuals who have to learn to scale the mountain together.
Ultimately, this just looks poorly on Wilson. Georgia comes out of this alright. Smart is an incredibly demanding head coach. No wonder so many players transfer away from UGA every December... It is what it is. Can Wilson achieve all of his dreams by playing for Miami this season? Most definitely. However, he has made it a point to cut corners ever since leaving Athens. Expect for that to continue.
Right now, Georgia should continue to accept that Wilson will have success at Miami, and vice versa.
Add us as a preferred source on Google