Payton Wilson opens up on the adversity he's faced, why he's better from it

During his time at NC State, linebacker Payton Wilson and the Wolfpack have faced plenty of adversity. However, as Wilson knows, that adversity has only served to make him a better player overall.

While representing the Wolfpack at the 2023 ACC Football Kickoff, Wilson shared his thoughts on that adversity and how it’s improved him.

“Yeah, of course,” Payton Wilson said. “I tell people this all the time that the injuries that have happened to me, yeah, they kind of suck, but at the end of the day they made me a better person on and off the field. Being younger and just playing injury-free, I used to take the game for granted. I didn’t really understand that that next snap could be my last.”

Notably, Wilson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in 2021. That came one year after all of college football was impacted by the pandemic. He bounced back from that and more, becoming a semi-finalist for the 2022 Comeback Player of the Year Award.

“Then just mentally, I mean, just the things that it’s engraved in me as a person. It’s tough watching people do what you love to do, and you can’t do it for year after year,” Wilson said. “That mentality that comes with that and just understanding that nothing is guaranteed in this life and you got to give your 100% every percent of the time.”

Payton Wilson decided to return to NC State for the 2023 season, instead of entering the NFL Draft. It was a huge decision for the team as head coach Dave Doeren explained.

“Any time you get a guy back that has that kind of experience on your team — and we had a bunch of those last year — it means a lot. Payton’s grown up so much as a person and a leader. I’m so proud of him and excited for him. He’s in a great headspace. He’s doing a really good job just being himself but also stepping out of his comfort zone a little bit and using his voice more. I would’ve told you four years ago, it’s probably his biggest fear is public speaking. Just seeing him now get in front of the team and talk when he needs to, he’s done a great job with that,” Doeren said.

“Very proud of him and excited for the program to have someone of his caliber back. I’m praying that he’s going to have the type of year he wanted to have as his final season.”

Payton Wilson on defensive coordinator Tony Gibson

While attending the 2022 ACC Football Kickoff, Payton Wilson shared his thoughts on defensive coordinator Tony Gibson.

“Something that Coach Gibson is really amazing at is giving us small tendencies and small keys that we can actually focus on,” Wilson said.

“You know how some coaches are very complicated and they give you certain stuff that’s kind of complicated? Every game we’re going in with a key on either the left tackle, the right guard, whoever it is whether it’s a run or pass. We always have really good keys and credit to Coach Gibson for that because he’s really good at what he does, but every game we go into a tackle’s usually giving us something that we really like.”