Payton Wilson

Last updated
Payton Wilson
Pittsburgh Steelers
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (2000-04-21) April 21, 2000 (age 24)
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school: Orange (Hillsborough)
College: NC State (2018–2023)
NFL draft: 2024  / Round: 3 / Pick: 98
Career history
Roster status:Unsigned draft pick
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Player stats at NFL.com

Payton Wilson (born April 21, 2000) is an American football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at NC State, winning the Chuck Bednarik Award and Butkus Award in 2023. Wilson was selected by the Steelers in the third round, 98th overall in the 2024 NFL draft.

Contents

Early life and high school career

Wilson grew up in Hillsborough, North Carolina and attended Orange High School. As a junior, he made 127 tackles with 39 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. [1] Wilson also won the North Carolina 3A 220-pound wrestling state championship during his junior year. [2] He had 103 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks before tearing his ACL during his senior year. [3] Wilson was rated a four-star recruit and initially committed to play college football at North Carolina (UNC) over offers from Clemson, Ohio State, and Virginia Tech. [4] He later decommitted from UNC and ultimately signed to play at North Carolina State. [5]

College career

Wilson suffered a second knee injury during summer training camp and redshirted his true freshman season at NC State. [6] He led the Wolfpack with 69 tackles during his redshirt freshman season. [7] Wilson made 108 tackles with 11.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and two interceptions and was named first team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in his redshirt sophomore season. [8] He suffered a season ending shoulder injury in the second game of his junior season. [9] In 2023, Wilson received the Butkus Award given annually to college football's best linebacker. [10]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 3+7⁄8 in
(1.93 m)		233 lb
(106 kg)		30+1⁄2 in
(0.77 m)		9 in
(0.23 m)		4.43 s1.54 s2.58 s34.5 in
(0.88 m)		9 ft 11 in
(3.02 m)
All values from NFL Combine [11] [12]

Wilson was selected in the third round (98th overall) of the 2024 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Philadelphia Eagles originally had possession of the 98th overall selection until it was traded to the Steelers in exchange for Kenny Pickett.

Personal life

Wilson is the younger brother of Major League Baseball pitcher Bryse Wilson. [13]

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References

  1. ↑ "Payton Wilson, No. 2 linebacker in the country, picks UNC". The Courier-Tribune . May 2, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Football recruit Payton Wilson wins wrestling title in thrilling fashion". The News & Observer . February 23, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  3. ↑ "UNC's top defensive prospect, and NC high school star, decommits". Charlotte Observer . November 22, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  4. ↑ Nathan, Alec (May 1, 2017). "4-Star LB Payton Wilson Commits to UNC over Ohio State, Clemson, Others". Bleacher Report . Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Payton Wilson, who decommitted from UNC, commits to NC State, Dave Doeren instead". The News & Observer . December 1, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  6. ↑ "NC State football player Payton Wilson faces multiple charges". The News & Observer . December 15, 2019. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  7. ↑ "He's always played hard, now NC State's Payton Wilson is also playing smart". The News & Observer . October 23, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  8. ↑ "N.C. State football's Payton Wilson ready to become top defender". The Fayetteville Observer . July 20, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  9. ↑ Beard, Aaron (September 13, 2021). "NC State loses all-ACC LB Wilson, Fagan for year to injuries". Associated Press . Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  10. ↑ "NC State linebacker Payton Wilson crowned as 2023 Butkus Award winner". CBS17.com. 2023-12-07. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
  11. ↑ "Payton Wilson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  12. ↑ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Payton Wilson College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  13. ↑ delos Santos, Justice (September 9, 2022). "This Buc's brother is a college football star". MLB.com . Retrieved September 14, 2022.
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