NC State LB Payton Wilson opts out of Pop-Tarts Bowl

NC State linebacker Payton Wilson opted out of the Pop-Tarts bowl, according to a statement released on his Twitter page.

After a storied career with the Wolfpack, the NFL Draft is presumably the next step. Wilson finished his five years at NC State with 402 tackles, 202 solo tackles, 48 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, seven interceptions, 13 pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one defensive touchdown.

As a member of the Class of 2018, Wilson was a four-star recruit out of Hillsborough (N.C.) Orange, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 4 overall prospect in the state, the No. 8 linebacker in the class and the No. 68 overall prospect in the class.

“Playing football at NC State and training and competing with my teammates has been an experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life,” Wilson wrote. “Now it’s time for me to start to prepare for the next chapter of my football career. After discussions with my family and advisors, I have made the difficult decision to opt out of playing in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. I will be there on Dec. 28 to support my brothers and hopefully bring home a victory.”

More on the 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan, with the first round on Thursday, April 25, the second and third rounds on Friday, April 26, and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday, April 27.

Players will have the opportunity to solidify their draft stock at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from February 26 through March 4.

The three-day event will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility.

Last season, 69 players were granted special eligibility for the 2023 NFL Draft. 13 underclassmen who had completed their college degrees were also deemed eligible to be selected.

The deadline to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft is on January 15. NFL teams will receive a full list of eligible players in the class on January 19.