Over a 24-hour period, Miami landed a Missouri edge transfer and the Tigers snagged a Hurricane edge transfer as well. And while it's not actually a trade, the two teams will now both be tasked with getting the best out of their new player from the opposite squad. The only problem for Mizzou, is that this swap is not anywhere near a one-to-one exchange.
Former Tiger and projected future first-round pick Damon Wilson II will head to Miami for his final season. Meanwhile, the Tigers will bring in Malik Bryant, a former four-star recruit who never fully caught on with the Hurricanes.
Bryant played in just four games this past season, notching two tackles. In 2024, he appeared in 12 games, adding 17 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Did Missouri properly address their massive holes at edge?
After losing both Zion Young and Damon Wilson II, it's fair to question whether or not head coach Eli Drinkwitz did enough to rebuild his edges. Missouri added players like Florida State transfer Jaden Jones and Louisville transfer CJ May, but neither have registered a sack in their careers.
Surely Mizzou tried, and obviously failed, at bringing in some top-end edge talent, but Drinkwitz and company have now put all of their eggs into the 'develop and pray' basket. While it was probably unrealistic to think the production of both Young and Wilson could be replaced, the Tigers didn't even come close.
Of course any one of these players could be a budding star in the making, propelling Missouri up to look like geniuses. But for now, there should be some real concern for where the pressure will be coming from on the defensive line. There could still be another transfer or two coming--cough, cough Cayden Lee--but the edge group is probably now set. Time will tell if the Tigers did enough.