Photos: A look back at career of NC State’s Payton Wilson
By Ethan Hyman
N.C. State linebacker Payton Wilson (11) tackles Marshall quarterback Cam Fancher (14) during their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.
Ethan Hyman
ehyman@newsobserver.com
After 45 games over five years, N.C. State linebacker Payton Wilson will play his last game at Carter-Finley Stadium Saturday evening Nov. 25, 2023.. During his time with the Wolpfack, Wilson has 388 tackles including 123 this season alone.
The leader of the Pack, Wilson is a finalist for the Butkus, the nation’s top linebacker, and Nagurski, the nation’s best overall defensive player, awards. He is the first player in Wolfpack history to be a finalist for the Butkus Award.
Take a look back at some images from the career of one of NC State football’s best players.
Orange High School’s Payton Wilson tackles Northern’s De’shi Atkins, during a game in August 2016. Fabian Radulescu
Payton Wilson, top, of Orange wrestles Daniel Gonzalez of Chapel Hill during a match in Hillsborough in January 2017. Fabian Radulescu newsobserver.com
From left, N.C. State’s Stephen Louis (1) Payton Wilson (11), and Jory Perkins (12) walk onto the field before the Wolfpack’s game against Texas A&M in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla., Monday, Dec. 31, 2018. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State linebacker Payton Wilson (11), left, runs drills with linebacker Drake Thomas (13) during N.C. State football’s first day of spring practice Saturday, March 2, 2019. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Dave Huxtable talks with linebacker Payton Wilson (11) during the Wolfpack’s practice in Raleigh, N.C. Tuesday, August 6, 2019. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State linebacker Payton Wilson (11) tackles Ball State running back Caleb Huntley (2) during their game at Carter-Finley Stadium in Sept. 2019. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Syracuse’s Cameron Jordan (81) grabs onto the helmet of N.C. State’s Payton Wilson (11) during a kickoff in the Wolfpack’s 16-10 victory over Syracuse in October 2019. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State linebacker Payton Wilson (11) makes an interception during the Wolfpack’s 31-20 victory over Duke in October 2020. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren laughs with Payton Wilson (11) after the Wolfpack’s victory over Duke in October 2020. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren talks with linebacker Payton Wilson (11) before the Wolfpack’s game against Liberty in November 2020. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Payton Wilson poses at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, July 29, 2021. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Payton Wilson, right, jokes with defensive back Tyler Baker-Williams (13) before the Wolfpack’s game against Furman in September 2021. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State safety Tanner Ingle, left, and linebacker Payton Wilson talk to each other as they and the Wolfpack players, coaches and staff leave the team hotel to head to the airport in San Diego, CA after the Holiday Bowl was cancelled in December 2021. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State linebacker Payton Wilson (11) celebrates with fans after the Wolfpack’s 27-14 victory over Texas Tech at Carter-Finley Stadium in September 2022. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State linebacker Payton Wilson walks the field before the Wolfpack’s game against Clemson at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C., in October 2022. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State linebacker Payton Wilson (11) celebrates after sacking Virginia Tech quarterback Grant Wells during their game n Raleigh in October 2022. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Payton Wilson (11) chases North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) out of bounds during their game at Kenan Stadium in Nov. 2022. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
N.C. State football’s Payton Wilson, left, laughs with Thayer Thomas while watching the Wolfpack’s basketball game against William and Mary at PNC Arena on Nov. 29, 2022. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State linebackers Payton Wilson (11), Isaiah Moore (1) and Drake Thomas (32) line up during the second half of Maryland’s 16-12 victory over the Wolfpack in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State linebacker Payton Wilson (11), left, and quarterback Ethan Rhodes (13) pray before heading out onto the field to warmup before the Wolfpack’s’ game against UConn at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn. Thursday, August 31, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
From left N.C. State’s C.J. Clark (5), Payton Wilson (11) and Kamal Bonner (34) head out to the field to warmup before N.C. State’s game against UConn at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn. Thursday, August 31, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State defensive coordinator Tony Gibson congratulates Payton Wilson (11) after he intercepted the ball during the Wolfpack’s 24-14 victory over UConn at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn. Thursday, August 31, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State linebacker Payton Wilson (11) celebrates recovering a Louisville fumble during their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Grayson Ketchie plays ball with N.C. State linebacker Payton Wilson at Grayson’s home in Garner Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. Ketchie, 12, has been suffering from severe neurological issues since he was a baby. He has been a Wolfpack fan since he was three and the players made a surprise visit to his home that evening. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State linebacker Payton Wilson (11) gives Payton Gibbs a hug after N.C. State’s 24-17 victory over Clemson at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Payton Wilson (11) dives in to score on a 15-yard touchdown interception during the second half of N.C. State’s 24-17 victory over Clemson at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Payton Wilson (11) and Aydan White (3) tackle Miami’s Mark Fletcher Jr. (22) during the second half of N.C. State’s 20-6 victory over Miami at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State linebacker Payton Wilson (11) heads down the tunnel to warm up before N.C. State’s game against UNC at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren hugs linebacker Payton Wilson (11) as seniors are recognized before N.C. State’s game against UNC at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Payton Wilson (11) and Davin Vann (1) stand over North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) after tackling him during the first half of N.C. State’s game against UNC at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State linebacker Payton Wilson (11) acknowledges the crowd after he was introduced on senior day before the Wolfpack’s game against UNC at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State linebacker Payton Wilson (11) celebrates as he comes off the field after N.C. State’s 39-20 victory over UNC at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
