Georgia now 'the team to beat' for 5-star EDGE Damon Wilson

Five-star Venice (Fla.) EDGE Damon Wilson is fresh off of an unofficial visit to Georgia, and the Bulldogs made nothing short of a strong impression on him.

Wilson initially thought he was done with visits after taking an official to Athens in October, but this trip came together quickly, and he got a chance to see the Bulldogs up close as they handled No. 1 Tennessee at Sanford Stadium. Not only did Wilson get to spend time with Georgia’s coaching staff, but he also got to witness them coaching live and in-person from field level before the game.

Coming off the trip, the Bulldogs have made a strong case to be the top team in Wilson’s recruitment with a decision possibly in the next weeks, according to On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons.

“I think this trip really opened Damon’s eyes,” Simmons said Monday during On3’s Inside Scoop recruiting show. “Damon went into this visit with a more business trip-like approach. He wasn’t there to get love from the coaches, wasn’t there to get wined and dined and go axe-throwing and stuff like that. He was there to kind of put himself in that position. If he could play in that game for that team, what would that be like?

Georgia, the team, scheme, execution, performance, the atmosphere, they knocked it out of the park. Not just with Damon, but with his family. I kind of hinted a week ago I thought Georgia was in a pretty good spot, maybe better than where people had them at. And I leave this weekend feeling Georgia is the team to beat for Damon Wilson.”

Damon Wilson Scouting Summary

“Disruptive pass rusher with one of the best first steps in the 2023 cycle. Bursts off the snap and is often in the backfield before opposing offensive linemen are out of their stance. Owns a solid build, checking in at nearly 6-foot-4, 230 pounds prior to his junior season with plus length for the position. Tests as a good athlete in the combine setting but plays quicker than his times indicate. Shows the ability to bend and dip around the edge, in addition to the outstanding first step.

… Plays for a top high school program in Florida. Turned in strong production with 15 sacks as a junior. Has added strength and checks in as one of the strongest EDGE defenders in the class in terms of weight room numbers. Highly technical and polished with his hands. Has few holes in his game and looks like one of the highest floor defenders in the cycle to go with substantial upside.” — Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings