Payton Wilson

Payton Wilson (born April 21, 2000) is an American football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at NC State, winning the Chuck Bednarik Award and Butkus Award in 2023. Wilson was selected by the Steelers in the third round, 98th overall in the 2024 NFL draft.

Early life
Wilson grew up in Hillsborough, North Carolina and attended Orange High School. As a junior, he made 127 tackles with 39 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. Wilson also won the North Carolina 3A 220-pound wrestling state championship during his junior year. He had 103 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks before tearing his ACL during his senior year. Wilson was rated a four-star recruit and initially committed to play college football at North Carolina (UNC) over offers from Clemson, Ohio State, and Virginia Tech. He later decommitted from UNC and ultimately signed to play at North Carolina State.

College career
Wilson suffered a second knee injury during summer training camp and redshirted his true freshman season at NC State. He led the Wolfpack with 69 tackles during his redshirt freshman season. Wilson made 108 tackles with 11.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and two interceptions and was named first team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in his redshirt sophomore season. He suffered a season ending shoulder injury in the second game of his junior season. In 2023, Wilson received the Butkus Award given annually to college football's best linebacker.

Professional career
Wilson was selected in the third round (98th overall) of the 2024 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Philadelphia Eagles originally had possession of the 98th overall selection until it was traded to the Steelers in exchange for Kenny Pickett.

Personal life
Wilson is the younger brother of Major League Baseball pitcher Bryse Wilson.