Despite how well Payton Wilson is playing as documented by this article, he's still essentially serving a racial apprenticeship, with his highwater mark in snaps played for the season being just 58%. He's splitting time with veteran journeyman Elandon Roberts, while Patrick Queen, who is good but nothing special, plays every down. The one knock on Wilson was his injury history; well, unlike so many other White linebackers, he's been healthy all season. Play the man!
We know he was a Unanimous 1st Team All-American. We know he won the Butkus Award, Bednarik Award and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year Award.
We know that every team not named the Pittsburgh Steelers is kicking themselves, after failing to draft Wilson. It was criminal that the first round talent was taken in the 3rd round with the 98th overall pick.
Currently, Wilson has the 7th best PFF grade by a Linebacker with 350+ snaps. His 7% Missed Tackle Rate ranks 7th in the NFL. Wilson’s 71.8 Passer Rating Allowed is the best in the league.
Wilson’s PFF Coverage grade ranks 3rd in the NFL.
Wilson simply is one of the best players to ever play football for NC State. He is 1 of only 3 players in school history to be named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. He is the only player in NC State history to win the Butkus Award, which is handed out annually to the best Linebacker in College Football. He won the Bednarik Award, which is awarded annually to the best Defensive player in college football. Wilson earned 1st Team All-ACC honors for the 2nd time this season, becoming 1 of 37 players in school history to earn 1st Team honors multiple times. He is only the 4th player in school history to be named a Unanimous All-American. Wilson is 1 of 6 Wolfpack defenders to finish his career with 400+ tackles.
The Steelers got the steal of the 2024 NFL Draft when they snagged Wilson.
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Former NC State All-American LB Payton Wilson is Already Establishing Himself as One of the Best in the NFL
What Linebacker Payton Wilson is doing in his Rookie season isn’t shocking to NC State fans.We know he was a Unanimous 1st Team All-American. We know he won the Butkus Award, Bednarik Award and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year Award.
We know that every team not named the Pittsburgh Steelers is kicking themselves, after failing to draft Wilson. It was criminal that the first round talent was taken in the 3rd round with the 98th overall pick.
Currently, Wilson has the 7th best PFF grade by a Linebacker with 350+ snaps. His 7% Missed Tackle Rate ranks 7th in the NFL. Wilson’s 71.8 Passer Rating Allowed is the best in the league.
Wilson’s PFF Coverage grade ranks 3rd in the NFL.
Wilson simply is one of the best players to ever play football for NC State. He is 1 of only 3 players in school history to be named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. He is the only player in NC State history to win the Butkus Award, which is handed out annually to the best Linebacker in College Football. He won the Bednarik Award, which is awarded annually to the best Defensive player in college football. Wilson earned 1st Team All-ACC honors for the 2nd time this season, becoming 1 of 37 players in school history to earn 1st Team honors multiple times. He is only the 4th player in school history to be named a Unanimous All-American. Wilson is 1 of 6 Wolfpack defenders to finish his career with 400+ tackles.
The Steelers got the steal of the 2024 NFL Draft when they snagged Wilson.
Former NC State All-American LB Payton Wilson is Already Establishing Himself as 1 of the Best in the NFL
What Linebacker Payton Wilson is doing in his Rookie season isn’t shocking to NC State fans. We know he was a Unanimous 1st Team All-American. We know he won the Butkus Award, Bednarik Award and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year Award. We know that every team not named the Pittsburgh Steelers...
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