'Violence' and More Drives Damon Wilson II Ahead of Debut Season with Miami
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CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The challenge for any transfer entering a new program is how they will replace the production that is leaving.
The Miami Hurricanes have two first-round picks to replace on the defensive line, but to a new star edge rusher, Damon Wilson II, it is the challenge he wanted when he entered the transfer portal.
Now one week into fall camp, Wilson has his eyes on the prize as the most violent player on the field, a motto that has been repeated into his mind.
"Be violent at the point of attack, two to one, keep my outside hand free, just be a dog in the trench, clear. Calais Campbell said, sometimes you just gotta be badass, man," Wilson said. "It ain't about technique all the time. Sometimes you just gotta be the most violent person on the field."
Wilson is a calm and relaxed player off the field. A bit willy, but that makes every interaction the better. Moreover, on the field, he battles against some of the best offensive lineman in the country, something he takes with him where he goes.
“Man, I enjoy playing with Samson," Wilson said. "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].”
Furthermore, working with an elite offensive line coach also comes with an elite defensive coach. Everything Hall of Fame defensive lineman coach Jason Taylor says, Wilson takes in at every moment. He wants to prove and learn from one of the best takes the cake.
“He expects the best out of you all the time," Wilson said about Taylor. "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.”
Nevertheless, even with so many things running around Wilson's mind, he is also grounded in the moment. He is excited to be a Hurricane and what this season will be.
"It's been good, competing, just running around," Wilson finished. "I just feel like I'm getting better competing against guys every day."
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Justice Sandle is a graduate of Mississippi State University earning a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Communications with a concentration in Print and Digital Journalism. During his time in Starkville, he spent a year as an intern working for Mississippi State On SI primarily covering basketball, football, baseball, and soccer while writing, recording, and creating multimedia stories during his tenor. Since graduating, he has assumed the role of lead staff writer for Miami Hurricanes On SI covering football, basketball, baseball, and all things Hurricanes related.
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