New Miami signee will be defensive concern for Notre Dame and CJ Carr this fall

Notre Dame and Miami have both circled their game on November 7, and now the Hurricanes have added a new weapon to the mix in Damon Wilson II.

Wilson is a rush end who played the 2025 season with the Missouri Tigers. Earlier this week, he transferred to Miami and looks like someone who could bolster the 'Canes defensive line in 2026. He'll be another point of concern for the Irish when the last two National Championship runners-up clash for what could be a College Football Playoff berth just ahead of their respective season finales.

Notre Dame already knows that Miami is looking to reload and will almost certainly eventually have former Duke quarterback Darian Mensah under center. Now Damon Wilson II could be the same kind of impact player on the defensive side of the field.

Miami adds former Missouri EDGE Damon Wilson II ahead of Notre Dame matchup

Wilson, a second-team All-SEC selection in 2025, is the No. 9 player in ESPN's latest transfer portal rankings. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound defender will join the national runner-up Hurricanes after finishing third in the SEC with 9 sacks in his lone season with the Tigers this past season.

Across 13 games, he finished with 23 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and those 9 sacks to lead one of the sport's best pass-rushing defenses. He was also credited with 54 quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, one of the highest rates in the entire country.

Miami will task Wilson to help replace the 'Canes sackmaster duo of Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain. The pair combined for more than 110 tackles, 33 tackles for loss, and 22 sacks in 2025. Mesidor tied for third nationally in sacks with 12.5 and helped turn Miami's defensive line into one of the best in the nation.

Notre Dame knows what the Hurricanes can do when their pass rush gets going, as CJ Carr was sacked 3 times in both teams' season opener last September.