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The University of Georgia Athletic Association is taking legal action against one of the football team’s former star passers.
Georgia is seeking damages totaling $390,000 after defensive end Damon Wilson II opted to transfer to Missouri following the 2024 season. The department cited a void buyout clause in Wilson’s contract and requested that a judge force the defensive end to go to arbitration to reach a settlement. The clause in Wilson’s old deal effectively acts as a buyout fee in the event of early termination.
Missouri Tigers defensive end Damon Wilson II (8) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on October 11, 2025 in Columbia, Missouri. (Jay Biggerstaff/Imagn Images)
Wilson recently received a court summons, according to legal records.
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After recording 3.5 sacks during his freshman and sophomore seasons at UGA, Wilson signed a new deal with Georgia’s Classic City Collective. In January, just two weeks after landing the new contract, Wilson moved to Missouri.
Wilson had nine sacks in his first regular season with the Tigers.
Georgia Bulldogs helmets on the bench during the Georgia Spring game at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia on April 12, 2025. (Dale Zanine/Imagn Images)
The formation of collectives has become more common in schools across the country. Many collectives include liquidated damages clauses in their agreements with players to try to protect financial investments in athletes and discourage transfers.
Wilson allegedly received payments totaling $30,000 under the terms of his last deal with Georgia before leaving Athens, Georgia. The athletic association claims Wilson owed $390,000 within 30 days of his departure.
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“When the University of Georgia Athletic Association enters into binding agreements with student-athletes, we honor our commitments and expect student-athletes to do the same,” Georgia spokesman Steven Drummond said in a statement to ESPN.
Wilson could not be reached directly for comment. Missouri-based attorneys Bogdan Susan and Jeff Jensen represent Wilson. Susan maintained that Wilson’s career decisions were never motivated by money.
Damon Wilson II (8) of the Missouri Tigers watches the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri on November 15, 2025. (Jeff Le/Getty Images)
“Once all the facts are revealed, people will be shocked at how the University of Georgia treated a student-athlete,” Susan said in a statement. “For Damon, it’s never been about the money, he just wants to play the game he loves and pursue his dream of playing in the NFL.”
Georgia’s decision marks one of the first times a school has publicly sought zero damages from a former athlete for breach of contract. The dispute sets the stage for the possibility of setting a precedent regarding whether liquidated damages clauses will be an effective and defensible replacement for more traditional surrender fees.
However, it should be noted that Arkansas’ NIL Collective has retained an attorney to try to enforce a buyout clause in quarterback Madden Iamaleava’s deal. Iamaleava ultimately spent his freshman season at UCLA. Wide receiver Dazmin James also left Arkansas, prompting his former school to file a lawsuit.
