The Pittsburgh Steelers chose former NC State linebacker Payton Wilson with the 98th overall choice in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft last week.
Leading the ACC with 138 tackles, including 17.5 for loss and six sacks, three interceptions, six pass breakups, ten quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries, he had one of the finest seasons in program history last autumn.
Wilson, who finished as the top defensive back in college football last season, recently listened to Cameron Heyward, his new Pittsburgh teammate, on his podcast. Wilson, a tough rival, discussed his playing approach on the show.
“I like to take people’s heads off and I like to fly around with the best of them. . . .”Wilson stated, via Steelers Depot, “I’m simply the type of guy who wants to make 75 tackles, whatever it is, if there are 75 plays. “I’ve simply always played that way. grew up wrestling and in a pretty blue-collar environment. I’ve thus kind of been raised with that mindset my entire life. I don’t know, I just want to strike someone so much when I’m out there and they’re holding the ball. Every time, I want to be the first one there.”
Wilson’s 2023 efforts earned him a Payton Wilson took home the Bednarik and Nagurski Awards. In addition, he won the 2023 ACC Defensive Player of the Year award and was a unanimous All-American.
Wilson was a successful player at Hillsborough (N.C.) Orange during high school. According to 247Sports, he was a U.S. Army All-American, the nation’s No. 39 overall prospect, a four-star recruit, the No. 4 outside linebacker in the nation, and the fourth-ranked player in North Carolina before enrolling with State in 2018.
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