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

The time for a decision is coming soon for five-star Venice (Fla.) EDGE Damon Wilson.

Over the weekend, the No. 4 player in the On300 rankings told On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons that he knows which school he wants to commit to, but a date hasn’t been set. Georgia and Ohio State are the two schools battling to land Wilson, and Simmons broke down the race between the programs as Wilson’s commitment inches closer to the Early Signing Period.

“This one has been, I think for a couple of months now, down to Georgia and Ohio State,” Simmons said Monday during On3’s Inside Scoop recruiting show. “Damon has never publicly eliminated Alabama or Miami, but he did tell me on Sunday that it’s pretty much down to Ohio State and Georgia. And it’s been that way since early October. He took the official visit to Ohio State in September, and there was some buzz then that he could come back and commit to the Buckeyes. Georgia and other schools held that commitment off, got Damon on campus a couple of times since then. He went back to Columbus for the Michigan game on Thanksgiving weekend.

… And it’s come down to a showdown that we’ll see in the Playoff: Kirby Smart vs. Ryan Day. I’ve been hinting for a couple of weeks that I like where Georgia is at, even though the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine was trending toward the Buckeyes. I still feel confident that Georgia is probably the team to beat. Damon says he knows where he’s going and there will be a couple in-home visits with Ohio State and Georgia before he announces that decision. But right now I’m leaning toward Georgia for Damon.”

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.”