Mizzou Edge Rusher Damon Wilson II Entering Transfer Portal

Wilson will look elsewhere to utilize his final year of eligibility.

Oct 11, 2025; Columbia, MO; USA; Missouri Tigers defensive end Damon Wilson points to the coaches after a sack against the Alabama Crimson Tide | Amber Winkler/MissouriOnSI

Missouri's leading edge rusher from 2025, Damon Wilson II, will enter the NCAA transfer portal, per a report from Pete Nakos.

Wilson's future with the Tigers was already in question, as he was a possible candidate to declare for the 2026 NFL draft as an underclassmen. Instead, he'll utilize his final year of eligibility elsewhere.

Wilson transferred to Missouri from Georgia ahead of the 2025 season. He recorded nine sacks and 23 total tackles on the season. Wilson recorded 54 pressures on the year, according to Pro Football Focus.

Before his time with Missouri, Wilson worked his way up in the rotation of a stacked pass rushing core at Georgia. In 2024, Wilson recorded three sacks and forced two fumbles for the Bulldogs. He was rated as a four-star prospect out of high school and the No. 5 edge rusher in the class of 2023, per 247Sports' rankings.

Wilson is arguably the biggest loss Missouri has ever suffered in the history of the transfer portal. He was rated as a top-10 prospect available in last year's portal cycle, and will be amongst the top players available this offseason. He chose the Tigers over Ohio State.

Missouri will now lose both of its starting edge rushers from 2025, with Zion Young exhausting his eligibility. Wilson is the second defensive starter from last season for Missouri to enter the portal, joining safety Marvin Burks Jr. The Tigers also recently lost All-SEC linebacker Josiah Trotter, who decided to declare for the NFL draft.

Wilson is currently involved in a legal dispute with Georgia regarding his transfer from the school in January of 2025. Georgia is seeking $390k in damages stemming from a term sheet he signed with the school shortly before entering the transfer portal. Shortly after, Wilson countersued Georgia.

Oct 11, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive end Damon Wilson II (8) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

At edge rusher, Missouri will likely look to add at least one starter, if not two, through the portal. Redshirt junior Darris Smith might also work his way into the starting rotation after spending 2025 rotating behind Wilson and Young.

The Tigers do have a promising young player at the position in true freshman Daeden Hopkins, a former four-star prospect who recorded seven tackles and half a sack across four appearances. However, Missouri did lose fellow true freshman Javion Hilson, a top-10 edge rusher in the class of 2025, to the transfer portal.

To keep up with all of the roster movement for Missouri, follow our offseason tracker.