Fox Sports writer Michael Cohen put out an article on Thursday afternoon listing the top-10 breakout candidates heading into the 2026-27 college football season; Miami Hurricanes new defensive lineman transfer Damon Wilson II made the list.
Wilson is a transfer over from the Missouri Tigers from the SEC. He was one of the most feared defensive players in the conference and started in all 13 games for the Tigers. Wilson finished up his junior season with nine total tackles, nine sacks, and one interception. Wilson is bringing his elite pass rushing skills to Miami with his violent hands. He was recently named to the 2026 Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list.
In recent way-too-early NFL Mock Drafts, Damon Wilson has received tons of NFL love, with many trusted sites slotting him in the first round of the 2026-27 Draft.
Miami showcases one of the best defensive linemen groups in college football. Along with Wilson, the Hurricanes boast Justin Scott, Marquise Lightfoot, Hayden Lowe, Armondo Blount, Ahmad Moten, and Jarquez Carter, to back him up in the trenches.
Here is what Michael Cohen said about Wilson and his defensive presence with the Hurricanes.
Anyone who watched Miami’s impressive run to the national championship game last season understood the impact that edge rushers Reuben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor had on the Hurricanes’ success. Bain, who became the No. 15 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, led the country in quarterback pressures (83) and tied for 18th in sacks (9.5) while logging more snaps (561) than any other player at his position, according to Pro Football Focus. Mesidor, who was selected No. 22 overall in last month’s draft, finished tied for fourth nationally in quarterback pressures (67) and tied for third in sacks (12.5) while logging the second-most snaps (513) of any player at his position. Together, their production never wavered despite hardly ever leaving the field. To begin filling the voids left by Bain and Mesidor, who became the first Miami defensive players selected in the opening round since 2021, the Hurricanes turned to Wilson via the transfer portal. Originally a five-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, Wilson began his collegiate career in a reserve role at Georgia before carving out more playing time in Year 2. He parlayed the remnants of his recruiting pedigree and improved production into a highly priced move to Missouri as the No. 3 overall player in the transfer portal. Once Wilson entered the transfer portal again in January — this time after amassing nine sacks and 54 quarterback pressures for the Tigers — he committed to Miami as the No. 9 transfer and second-best edge rusher in the portal.
The list also includes:
Indiana -- QB -- Josh Hoover
Michigan -- WR -- Andrew Marsh
LSU -- TE -- Trey'Dez Green
Iowa -- RB -- Kamari Moulton
Notre Dame -- RB -- Aneyas Williams
Ohio State - DB -- Earl Little Jr.
USC -- WR -- Terrell Anderson
Tennessee -- Edge -- Chaz Coleman
Alabama -- WR -- Noah Rodgers
Wilson is a transfer over from the Missouri Tigers from the SEC. He was one of the most feared defensive players in the conference and started in all 13 games for the Tigers. Wilson finished up his junior season with nine total tackles, nine sacks, and one interception. Wilson is bringing his elite pass rushing skills to Miami with his violent hands. He was recently named to the 2026 Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list.
In recent way-too-early NFL Mock Drafts, Damon Wilson has received tons of NFL love, with many trusted sites slotting him in the first round of the 2026-27 Draft.
Miami showcases one of the best defensive linemen groups in college football. Along with Wilson, the Hurricanes boast Justin Scott, Marquise Lightfoot, Hayden Lowe, Armondo Blount, Ahmad Moten, and Jarquez Carter, to back him up in the trenches.
Here is what Michael Cohen said about Wilson and his defensive presence with the Hurricanes.
Anyone who watched Miami’s impressive run to the national championship game last season understood the impact that edge rushers Reuben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor had on the Hurricanes’ success. Bain, who became the No. 15 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, led the country in quarterback pressures (83) and tied for 18th in sacks (9.5) while logging more snaps (561) than any other player at his position, according to Pro Football Focus. Mesidor, who was selected No. 22 overall in last month’s draft, finished tied for fourth nationally in quarterback pressures (67) and tied for third in sacks (12.5) while logging the second-most snaps (513) of any player at his position. Together, their production never wavered despite hardly ever leaving the field. To begin filling the voids left by Bain and Mesidor, who became the first Miami defensive players selected in the opening round since 2021, the Hurricanes turned to Wilson via the transfer portal. Originally a five-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, Wilson began his collegiate career in a reserve role at Georgia before carving out more playing time in Year 2. He parlayed the remnants of his recruiting pedigree and improved production into a highly priced move to Missouri as the No. 3 overall player in the transfer portal. Once Wilson entered the transfer portal again in January — this time after amassing nine sacks and 54 quarterback pressures for the Tigers — he committed to Miami as the No. 9 transfer and second-best edge rusher in the portal.
The list also includes:
Indiana -- QB -- Josh Hoover
Michigan -- WR -- Andrew Marsh
LSU -- TE -- Trey'Dez Green
Iowa -- RB -- Kamari Moulton
Notre Dame -- RB -- Aneyas Williams
Ohio State - DB -- Earl Little Jr.
USC -- WR -- Terrell Anderson
Tennessee -- Edge -- Chaz Coleman
Alabama -- WR -- Noah Rodgers
