Payton Wilson, LB, NC State
Size:
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 233 pounds
Arm Length: 30 1/2"
Hand Size: 9”
Accomplishments:
Bednarik Award winner (2023) • ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2023)
"Payton Wilson is an athletic, physical second-level whose effort and instincts make him one of the premier linebackers in the class."
Strengths:
Range
Flexible/athletic
Comfortability in space
Hands
Non-stop effort
Explosive
Concerns:
Over-aggressiveness
Play strength at line of scrimmage
Long-term health
Film Analysis:
One of the most enjoyable studies of the class. Payton Wilson is an athletic defender whose instincts and willingness to stick his face in the mud pop off the screen. A leader within the lungs of a defense.
Against the run, Wilson plays with an excellent trigger to cut off rushing lanes and is never second to the football. Plays with outstanding leverage (former all-state wrestler). Extremely nuanced open-field tackler that will utilize a variety of different ways to get ball-carriers to the ground. Motor runs as hot as any prospect in the class with multiple instances of chasing down plays on the far side of the field some 30 yards away. As a blitzer, Wilson displays a sudden inside rip move and the flexibility to bend the edge.
While a majority of his snaps have come inside the box, Wilson can play outside the tight end in the fringe areas. Extremely comfortable in coverage. Smooth hips when forced to flip and run vs. RBs and TEs (Notre Dame). His head remains on a swivel to locate crossers when aligned as the MIKE. Instincts pave the way for ball production (7 INTs in five seasons).
Concerns remain about his over-willingness to make plays at times and his long-term health (torn ACL in 2020 & left shoulder in 2021). He can occasionally get caught in the wash after attempting to make a play. Play strength against the run has room to improve despite showcasing heavy hands (Louisville). Quick to disengage from opposing linemen but can be displaced from his alley due to inconsistent technique.
Overall, Wilson provides a modern skill set to the second level that should allow him to make an impact quickly should he remain at full strength. Three-down potential remains and Wilson’s energy will prove infectious to a defense in need of fresh legs at the LB position.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Winning Starter
Exposures: Louisville (2023), Notre Dame (2023), Clemson (2023), Clemson (2022)
