Ohio State fell short in its pursuit of Damon Wilson as the five-star defensive end signed with Georgia on Wednesday.
Wilson is the No. 13 overall prospect and No. 2 defensive end in the 2023 class and would have been Ohio State's highest-rated prospect for this cycle. With the Venice, Flordia, native choosing Georgia, the Buckeyes are left with only one five-star recruit in the class in Brandon Inniss, who ranks No. 29 overall and is the No. 4 wide receiver.
Ohio State went back and forth with Georgia in the months leading up to the Early Signing Period as both schools attempted to land Wilson. The Buckeyes and the Bulldogs were seen as the frontrunner to land the talented edge rusher at different points.
However, Kirby Smart's program took the lead in recent weeks after an in-home visit with Wilson and never relinquished its hold over the 6-foot-4, 230-pound prospect who racked up 269 tackles, 37 tackles for loss and 31 sacks in his four years at Venice High School.
Wilson had made an unofficial visit this Columbus earlier this year. He also officially visited the campus for Ohio State's season opener against Notre Dame, a top-five matchup at the time, and returned for Ohio State's loss to Michigan. In December, Wilson hosted Ryan Day on an in-home visit, but Smart's pitch to Wilson convinced him to become a Bulldog over becoming a Buckeye.
Without Wilson as a part of its 2023 class, the Buckeyes still have a few defensive linemen set to start their Ohio State careers in the fall, including four-stars Jason Moore, Will Smith Jr. and Kayden McDonald. Day and defensive line coach Larry Johnson also have the potential to land five-star Matayo Uiagalelei and four-star Joshua Mickens, who announced their commitments at the same time as Wilson on Wednesday.
