Missouri defensive end Damon Wilson II, a former 5-star recruit, has filed a lawsuit against the University of Georgia’s athletic association, igniting a legal battle over transfer and NIL issues in college football.
According to court documents obtained by The Athletic, Wilson’s attorneys submitted a 42-page complaint in Boone County, Missouri, on Tuesday. The lawsuit alleges a civil conspiracy involving Georgia and the Classic City Collective, claiming that the school attempted to “penalize Wilson for his decision to transfer.” The complaint also accuses Georgia of interfering with his ability to enter the transfer portal and misrepresenting the terms of his Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) buyout, which reportedly affected his financial and professional options.
Georgia has responded to the lawsuit by seeking arbitration, stating that Wilson owes $390,000 in damages. The university claims that Wilson had previously signed an agreement to return to Athens for his junior season but entered the transfer portal just a month later. If this case proceeds, it would be one of the first high-profile instances of a player and a college taking each other to court over an NIL dispute.
Wilson, a standout from Venice, Florida, transferred to Missouri for the 2025 season and quickly made his presence felt on the field. He recorded nine sacks and a forced fumble, earning second-team All-SEC honors for his efforts. Before transferring, Wilson spent two seasons at Georgia (2023–24), where he tallied 13 solo tackles, 3½ sacks, and two forced fumbles, showing flashes of the elite talent that made him a 5-star recruit out of high school.
Legal experts note that this case could set a precedent for future disputes involving NIL agreements, transfer portal rules, and the obligations between student-athletes and universities. Wilson’s attorneys argue that the actions of Georgia and its associated NIL group unfairly hindered his career options and could have lasting effects on how athletes navigate transfers and endorsement deals.
The case has already drawn attention across college sports circles, with fans and analysts closely monitoring how the dispute unfolds and what it could mean for the evolving landscape of college athletics. Both Wilson and Georgia have expressed a desire to resolve the matter, though it remains unclear how long the legal proceedings will take.
