Damon Wilson II Thriving in Competition, Jason Taylor’s Coaching and Miami’s Elite Defensive Line Room
2 min read
Miami defensive lineman Damon Wilson II is making the most of every opportunity to compete and improve as the Hurricanes continue through preseason camp. Surrounded by talented players along the defensive line, Wilson has seen his own game pushed to another level by going against teammates like Armondo Blount and Marquise Lightfoot every day.
Defensive lineman Damon Wilson II
On fellow defensive linemen Armondo Blount and Marquise Lightfoot:
“They can become whatever they want to become. They’re elite players right now. They can obviously keep getting better. Armondo Blount is a big man who’s violent and physical. Marquise is fast, electric. He’s violent as well. So, just being able to play with those guys just raised my competition up and [is] baking me get better every day.”
On being coached by Jason Taylor:
“He expects the best out of you all the time. There’s never a moment where he just lets a play side. Every play is being coached. Every play is important. So, just knowing that, running off the field is important. No hand on hips. The small stuff is big with him. … I think everybody is able to get attention with him, man. His room is always open. I just know he’s always there.”
On what it’s like to compete against Samson Okunlola and the rest of Miami’s offensive line:
“Man, I enjoy playing with Samson. You can tell he’s a high IQ player. Before we get set, you can tell that he’s always thinking about how he’s going to play me. And then we come back in the locker room, we sit down [and] talk. … me, Ryan [Rodriguez], [Matthew] McCoy. Shoot, [Alex Mirabal], the offensive line coach was giving me tips yesterday. … I feel like everybody on the team is [helpful].”
Defensive lineman Damon Wilson II
On fellow defensive linemen Armondo Blount and Marquise Lightfoot:
“They can become whatever they want to become. They’re elite players right now. They can obviously keep getting better. Armondo Blount is a big man who’s violent and physical. Marquise is fast, electric. He’s violent as well. So, just being able to play with those guys just raised my competition up and [is] baking me get better every day.”
On being coached by Jason Taylor:
“He expects the best out of you all the time. There’s never a moment where he just lets a play side. Every play is being coached. Every play is important. So, just knowing that, running off the field is important. No hand on hips. The small stuff is big with him. … I think everybody is able to get attention with him, man. His room is always open. I just know he’s always there.”
On what it’s like to compete against Samson Okunlola and the rest of Miami’s offensive line:
“Man, I enjoy playing with Samson. You can tell he’s a high IQ player. Before we get set, you can tell that he’s always thinking about how he’s going to play me. And then we come back in the locker room, we sit down [and] talk. … me, Ryan [Rodriguez], [Matthew] McCoy. Shoot, [Alex Mirabal], the offensive line coach was giving me tips yesterday. … I feel like everybody on the team is [helpful].”
