Payton Wilson has never been one of many words.
Hailing from Hillsborough, North Carolina, Payton has also been the type of person who has enjoyed the simple things in life: family, video games, and football—nothing more, nothing less. Coming from a close-knit family, Wilson continues to be inspired by his older brother, Bryse, who is currently a pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. Both his parents have been a driving force in his life, teaching him the value of hard work and faith.
Payton was a natural-born athlete. At the tender age of four, he started out in wrestling before joining peewee football at the age of six. He would continue wrestling through high school at Orange High School, where he blossomed into a state wrestling champion. At the same time, he became an all-conference and all-metro lacrosse player, as he once scored six goals in a game. Payton would compile 266 tackles, 70 TFLs, 24 sacks, and two interceptions as an outside linebacker with Orange High. In his senior year, he was named the Raleigh News & Observer’s Player of the Year and the Male Athlete of the Year, and he earned a spot in the U.S. Army All-American Game.
During summer training camp in his true freshman year, Payton would suffer another knee injury that would keep him from playing that year. In his redshirt freshman year, Payton would play in 11 games with just one start. Yet he would lead his team with 69 tackles, in addition to registering an interception and three pass deflections. In the COVID year of 2020, Payton would again lead the team in tackles with 108. He would also collect 3.5 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and pass deflection. For his performance that year, Payton was named ACC linebacker of the week three times and would earn first-team All-ACC performer honors.
After a serious shoulder injury would sideline him for the 2021 season, Payton would come back in his junior year, finishing with 82 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, an interception, and three pass deflections. He would take his performance in his junior year to a historic level in his senior year, winning both the Butkus Award for the nation's top linebacker and the Bednarik Award for the nation’s top defensive player. To add to these accolades, Payton would be named 2023 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and become a unanimous, consensus first-team All-American. He was far and away the team's leading tackler with 138, along with collecting six sacks. His 17.5 tackles for loss was the 10th-best mark in program history. In NC State's win over Clemson, he registered his first pick, six.
This past season, Wilson was arguably the best defensive player in the nation, and with good reason. On film, he is as athletic and physical a linebacker as they come. The best way to describe him is as a playmaking machine, the type that can make an impact almost at will.
Disciplined and Instinctive (Run Defense)
Wilson is the type of player who plays with calculated violence. Though his natural instinct is to make plays all over the field, he takes a cerebral approach to seeing what is unfolding before making his move. In essence, Wilson's strongest attribute is his football IQ.
In this example against the University of Connecticut, Wilson is seen positioned as the inside linebacker on the left side. The Huskies offense is showing an overload on his side, with one tight end aligned beside the tackle and another aligned behind the guard. The person to watch in this power sequence is Huskies guard Christian Haynes (#64). When the ball is snapped, notice how Wilson has his eyes on Haynes as he pulls; he already knows that Haynes is the key to the play. Wilson moves laterally and takes an angle, which inevitably makes it difficult for the Huskies tight end to block him. Wilson dips under the tight and makes his way into their backfield to help make a play. Not only his instincts but also his flexibility to get low while moving laterally are impressive to watch.
Instincts In Coverage
When it comes to coverage linebackers, few are better than Wilson. The high-level instincts and discipline he uses to make plays in the backfield are the same ones he utilizes to make plays in open space. One thing that helps Wilson in this aspect is his ability to stay disciplined in coverage.
This play is an example of his ability to leverage multiple route concepts in zone coverage. In the case against Connecticut, you have two receivers running different routes; one is running a drag route, and the other is running a dig behind. Notice how Wilson is reading the Huskies quarterback throughout before making his move. He shadows the receiver running the shallow crosser but doesn't fully commit, as he is aware of the receiver behind him. Throughout the entire sequence, he is never out of position, as he takes away both options. The end result is a pass deflection, which ultimately leads to an incomplete pass.
Blitzing Abilities
Though Wilson is not a natural pass rusher, he is still capable of contributing, mainly due to his incredible close speed. Wilson is generally at his best blitzing inside in contrast to on the edge, but if given the opportunity to rush the passer or ball carrier, he is excellent at making plays.
In watching this sequence against Marshall, his instincts and ability to read the quarterback shine. Wilson is seen aligned in 7-technique on the right side as an outside linebacker. Worth noting is the bunch formation the Thundering Herd offense is showing on the left side. One would assume that this was going to be a screen on the outside, which would have been a good idea to run on 4th and 2. When the ball is snapped, however, the quarterback decides to keep the ball on the RPO. Wilson knifes inside, but notice how he is constantly reading the quarterback. Instead of taking the bait, he stays patient, attacks the quarterback, and makes a big play on fourth down.
Wilson has all the attributes to someday become an All-Pro player. The likely factor that will dictate his success is his overall health. Otherwise, the Steelers found a gem in the third round that is a natural-born playmaker and the type of player that can help elevate defense now and for the next few years.