Admin April 27, 2024
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected NC State linebacker Payton Wilson with the 98th pick in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Wilson was a four-year starter and winner of multiple defensive player of the year awards. He’s NC State’s first linebacker to be selected in the draft since Germaine Pratt in 2019.
Here’s everything you need to know about Wilson.
Payton Wilson scouting report
NFL.com lists Wilson as a prospect likely to ”eventually be a plus starter.” Injury concerns have followed Wilson throughout his career, but his production has been incredible. He has a nose for the ball, is good in coverage and can wreak havoc from sideline to sideline.
Payton Wilson height, weight
Wilson is listed at 6-foot-4 and weighs in at 233 lbs. He attended Orange High School (N.C.) and is from Hillsborough, North Carolina.
Payton Wilson college stats
Wilson ranked fifth in the FBS with 138 tackles and tied for seventh with 17 ½ tackles for loss in 2023. He had six sacks, three interceptions and six pass breakups.
Payton Wilson highlights
Wilson won the Chuck Bednarik Defensive Player of the Year Award and Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker. He also was a first-team All-American and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. He had double-digit tackles in nine of his final 12 games, including 16 against Miami.
Payton Wilson NFL combine measurables
Wilson’s arms measure at 30 ½ inches and his hands measure at 9 inches. At the NFL Combine, Wilson ran the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds and had a vertical jump of 34.5 inches.