Georgia beats out Ohio State for 5-star EDGE Damon Wilson

In a preview of the College Football Playoff semifinals later this month, Georgia and Ohio State went head to head over the past few months for five-star Venice (Fla.) EDGE Damon Wilson.

The two programs traded blows, with each pulling ahead at different points. Wilson himself said that for at least two months, he thought he was going to be a Buckeye. But after official visits to both schools, in-home visits with each coaching staff, and a lot of conversation with his family, Wilson announced for Georgia on Wednesday.

“What it really came down to was the scheme,” he told On3. “Ohio State and Georgia, they don’t really have guys right now that I would play like or be like them. So it was kind of hard to understand because I’d kind of be playing a new position. But having the coaches there to explain it to me and how I’d fit with the deciding factor. I want to fit into the scheme; I don’t want to just be another player on the roster.”

Damon Wilson believes in the Georgia defense

During the in-home visits earlier this month, Wilson got a chance to sit down with Kirby Smart and outside linebackers coach Chidera Uzo-Diribe to really understand what Georgia had planned for him. They preached how he would be surrounded by other elite defenders and be able to use his speed and athleticism all over the field.

It was reminiscent of what he saw during his official visit for the Tennessee game, when Georgia’s coaching staff explained before the game exactly how they planned to attack the Vols’ offense.

“Coach Diribe and Coach Smart, they explained to me and told me how they were going to stop Tennessee, and then it was so nice being able to see exactly what they were talking about on the field,” Wilson said. “Seeing how they could do that and change their personnel just for that game, that was a big thing for me to see.”

Relationship with Uzo-Diribe was a key factor

Wilson added that he had great relationships with both coaching staffs. He loved the idea of playing for longtime Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson, who has produced a number of elite pass-rushers. But he really connected with Uzo-Diribe, who just turned 30 years old and has a great way of relating to recruits.

“Coach Diribe, I like that he’s young and hungry,” Wilson said. “He wants to make a name for himself. You know he’s going to put 100 percent into his players, and then talking to DJ, Nolan and all of those guys, I was able to talk to them about how they feel about him. They said he’s a great coach, easy to talk to, and just a normal person. With him, it’s like talking to a coach I’ve had four or five years now.”

Wilson has also developed a relationship with Smart, who he joked is a lot younger than he initially thought. The more time they spent together, the more they built a bond and Wilson could see himself in Smart’s program.

“Coach Smart, he’s a funny guy,” Wilson said. “I feel like I’ve known him for years. Over the times I visited and got to know him, it was nice to just have someone really understand who you are. He knew how to recruit me, and I really liked that about him.”

Decision was made last week

The two schools went back-and-forth up until last week, when Damon Wilson hosted both coaching staffs in his home. He heard what they had to say, took a day to think about it, and then made his decision.

Playing at Georgia, and having the opportunity to compete every year for SEC and national championships, was just too good to pass up.

“Coming from where I am at Venice, it’s a winning program and we’re striving for the highest level of winning,” Wilson said. “And one of my whole things going into this was not going to a team who could compete but is consistently competing for a national championship. And that’s Georgia.”