Payton Wilson is the ACC linebacker of the week

NC State linebacker Payton Wilson started his season with a dominant performance and earned some recognition afterwards. The ACC named him the conference’s linebacker of the week Tuesday afternoon.

Wilson was arguably the best player on the field during the Wolfpack’s 24-14 win over UConn and helped stifle the Huskies’ offense. He finished the game with a team-leading 10 tackles, including 8 solo stops, 1 defended pass and an interception that essentially wrapped up the game in the fourth quarter.

The linebacker shared after the game that NC State practices the two-minute drill constantly on defense, so he credited defensive coordinator Tony Gibson with putting him in position to make that play.

“It felt good to start the first game with a little interception… It’s a good team win,” Wilson said.

During his Monday afternoon press conference, head coach Dave Doeren complimented the linebacker’s effort.

“He did play really well,” Doeren said. “It was fun to see him playing ball like that. He was all over the field, getting off blocks. He tackled well in the box and in space and got his hand on a couple balls in pass coverage. He had a great interception and brought tremendous leadership on our punt team.”

Not only is the linebacker leading the team between the whistles, Wilson said he is taking on more responsibility with helping his team remain focussed and calm before and during games. Doeren said that showed up last week as well.

“His presence is really fell off the field too,” Doeren said. “He’s commanding this football team in ways that he never has vocally, so I’m very proud of him for that, and it’s fun to see that growth in him.”

Wilson shared a look into his mentality as a football player after the win over UConn.

“I try to play every play as hard as I possibly can and, if I don’t, it’s something that doesn’t sit well with me,” Wilson said. 

This is Wilson’s fourth time taking home the accolade after receiving it three times during a dominant 2020 season. The linebacker led the ACC in tackles per game that year with 10.8. Thursday was his third-consecutive game with double-digit tackles after reaching that statistical mark against both Maryland and UNC last year. He finished the 2022 season with 83 total stops and 4.5 sacks.

Doeren said Wilson heads into the program’s next game against Notre Dame excited for the chance to play a top-10 team, and the Wolfpack will need him to set an example on the field and with his teammates on the sidelines.

“This is going to be a game of ups and downs,” Doeren said. “There is going to be momentum that swings back and forth throughout the game. Your leaders have to really show up in games like this.”

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