NC State football has always been built on the back of its defense and taken pride in being the team that works the hardest on and off the field. No one player embodies that mentality more than graduate linebacker Payton Wilson.
Wilson, who was recently named the Butkus National Linebacker of the Month, is in the midst of one of the greatest seasons in NC State history, not just defensively, but overall. He exhibits many qualities that make him the best at his position.
Relentless effort
The linebacker position has the most responsibility on defense, especially in defensive coordinator Tony Gibson’s system. Wilson is tasked as a run-stopper while also dropping off in coverage at times, and he does it with the same intensity and effort on every play.
You will never see Wilson jogging on a play or stopping when a player runs by him. He plays at full speed every single play, which is the main reason he ranks fourth in the country in total tackles. The mentality of never giving up on a play is a special trait that not many have at the college level, and it’s what separates him from the rest.
This effort was on full display when Notre Dame got behind the defense and Wilson did not quit on the play, ultimately making the touchdown-saving tackle.
In the same game, he made another play after the offense got behind him, where most linebackers would stop playing in hopes of a teammate making the tackle.
Pass rush
Another aspect of Wilson’s game that makes him a perfect fit for Gibson’s defensive scheme is his ability to rush the quarterback. The 3-3-5 defense relies on linebackers to be extra pass rushers at times because there are only three defensive linemen, and the graduate excels when put in those positions.
The Hillsborough, North Carolina native uses his speed to get by offensive linemen and overpowers running backs or tight ends on his way to the quarterback. Wilson had a season-high two sacks against Louisville, putting his impressive ability to hunt down the opposing quarterback on display.
While Wilson has just four sacks on the season, the impact he has rushing the passer doesn’t always show up in the box score. There have been plenty of times throughout the season when Wilson has not sacked the quarterback, but he forced him to throw a bad pass under pressure. The best example of this also happened against Louisville, when Wilson forced the quarterback to throw an interception.
Pass coverage
When the captain of the defense isn’t flying around making tackles or sacking the quarterback, he is dropping back into coverage. Even though Wilson isn’t known for his pass coverage, he still makes plays when he’s dropping back.
Wilson has hauled in five interceptions during his NC State career while also accumulating 15 pass deflections. The linebacker’s football IQ is on full display when he drops into coverage because he is able to sit back and watch the quarterback’s eyes. Wilson did just that in the first game of the season when he caught the game-winning interception at UConn.
Leadership
All the aforementioned traits make him one of the best linebackers in the country, but his leadership qualities stand out. Wilson has always led by example with his play, but he has taken on a more vocal role in his sixth season at NC State.
Whenever he is doing interviews or press conferences, he is the first to take the blame for mistakes and deflects praise to his teammates and coaches. Wilson is an extension of the coaching staff when he is on the field, and he always puts his teammates in the best position to succeed.
Leadership is a quality that every coach in the NFL values, and Wilson’s draft stock continues to rise not just because of his physical dominance on the field, but what he brings to a locker room.
