The Florida Bar has opened an internal investigation and placed an employee on administrative leave after Miami Hurricanes defensive end Damon Wilson II shared alleged racist messages sent through Instagram direct messages following Miami’s 43-35 double-overtime win over Florida State last Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium.
The account tied to the messages, @aye_its_kade951, is apparently owned by Kade McLendon. McLendon initially attended Daytona State College before transferring to Florida State University in January of 2022. The following year, McLendon earned a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, according to LinkedIn, and is listed as working as a Computer Technician at The Florida Bar.
“The Florida Bar is aware of the messages that were possibly sent from an employee’s social media account that contained inappropriate content and we have started an internal investigation into the matter.”
The organization followed with a second statement after the situation escalated.
“The Florida Bar has put the employee Kate McLendon on administrative leave while the investigation is ongoing,” it said. “The messages in question are not only ethically and morally reprehensible, but also violate our internal social media policy for employees. As the internal investigation continues, we are committed to enforcing our policies and procedures while making sure that any due process rights are protected.”
Wilson II’s postgame revelation turned a rivalry win into a separate off-field story. Florida State’s second-overtime sequence included a 36-yard touchdown from fifth-year quarterback Ashton Daniels to wide receiver Micahi Danzy on a Hail Mary pass, but the play was wiped out when left tackle Xavier Chaplin was flagged for holding on Wilson II.
The Hurricanes-Seminoles series has long been one of college football’s marquee rivalries. It began with the first meeting on Oct. 5, 1951, and has featured national championships and iconic moments like Wide Right and Wide Left over more than 75 years.
Wilson II transferred to Miami in the spring from Missouri and is among the Hurricanes’ sack leaders with 3.5 this season. Miami will face Pitt on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. E.T. on ESPN, while the McLendon matter remains under review.
In Other News...
Georgia Tech's Bounce-Back Bid Starts With 3 Boston College Problems
Georgia Techs bounce-back push this week begins with a familiar kind of problem: a Boston College offense that can stress a defense in more than one way. Brent Key made clear that the Yellow Jackets have to account for quarterback Mason McKenzie, whose dual-threat ability has helped him lead the Eagles in both passing and rushing, and that usually means making every snap a little cleaner and every lane a little tighter.
The challenge does not stop there. Boston College also has real difference-makers on the other side of the ball in linebacker Polano and defender Price, two players who have given the Eagles extra disruption with their tackling and coverage work. For Georgia Tech, the assignment is less about chasing one star than about handling a handful of problems before they grow into the kind of big plays that can tilt a game. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Tech Faces A Tough Homecoming Test It Cant Afford To Blow
Homecoming usually comes with its own built-in distractions, but Georgia Tech has a more immediate concern waiting on Saturday in Boston College. Brent Key has already made it clear that the Eagles quarterback, Mason McKenzie, demands attention, and the matchup has the feel of one where the Yellow Jackets will have to stay disciplined early and limit breakdowns if they want the afternoon to stay on script.
The defensive challenge only grows if Georgia Tech is without Tawfiq Thomas, which would leave a noticeable hole up front. Even so, the Yellow Jackets should still have a path to move the ball and make life uncomfortable for Boston College, provided they can keep McKenzie from extending plays and putting extra stress on the defense all game long. [Read more 🡒]
Former Georgia Tech Departures Are Already Raising Tough Questions
Several former Georgia Tech players are already making their presence felt at new homes, a reminder of how much roster movement can reshape a program almost overnight. The most eye-catching group is at Florida, where Philo, Stockton, Moore and Harpring have all landed roles and started contributing this season, while other ex-Jackets have found opportunities at places like UT Martin, Kansas, Arizona State, Western Kentucky, Florida Atlantic, Jacksonville State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss and Cumberland.
The returns have been mixed, but the broader picture is hard to ignore for Georgia Tech fans. Some of those transfers are seeing meaningful snaps and putting up numbers right away, while others are earning praise through their grading and playing time in new systems, creating an uncomfortable comparison for a Yellow Jackets program still trying to build consistency. It is the kind of early-season evidence that can quickly turn a departure list into a bigger debate about development, retention and what the roster might have looked like with a few more of those names still in Atlanta. [Read more 🡒]