NC State LB Payton Wilson 'fine' after leaving Clemson game early
NC State graduate linebacker Payton Wilson is “fine” after he left the Clemson game early, Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren announced during his weekly press conference Monday afternoon.
Wilson, one of NC State’s five captains, exited the Pack’s 24-17 win over Clemson early on Saturday afternoon with what appeared to be a knee injury. He was seen sporting a knee brace on the sideline for a few moments before taking it off, but he did not return to action.
He is expected to play this week against Miami.
“I think Payton’s playing better than anybody in college football at his position, he’s obviously a spark, and he’s fine,” Doeren said. “Excited about the news on him. He was sore after the game, but it’s good news and he’ll be back this week.”
The Hillsborough, N.C., native has been the Wolfpack’s heart and soul of the defense this season. He leads the ACC with 89 total tackles, which is an average of 11.1 tackles per game — good for the fourth-most in the FBS. He has also made 43 “defensive stops,” according to Pro Football Focus, which is any tackle that results in a “failure” for the offense — the most of any Power Five defender.
Wilson logged 8 tackles against the Tigers — the third-most of any Wolfpack player — and he added 1.5 tackles for a loss and a pick six. His 15-yard interception return for a touchdown was his first career score during his five years in Raleigh, and it was his second pick of the season.
The 6-foot-4, 238-pound linebacker has recorded 5 passes defended and 2 forced fumbles, and he has been all over the field for the Wolfpack this fall. He has 9 tackles for a loss and 4 sacks as well.
Wilson currently sits ninth on NC State’s all-time tackles list with 353. He trails Billy Ray Hayes, who had 364 from 1988-1991. Levar Fisher leads the way with 492, which he did in four seasons from 1998-2001.
In addition to his on-field talent, Wilson has been the Pack’s ultimate leader off the field this fall. He has voiced his opinion in the postgame press conferences multiple times.
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After graduate quarterback Brennan Armstrong was booed during the Marshall game, Wilson stood up for his teammate.
“So, I love Wolfpack Nation to death, do not get me wrong. I love them to death,”Wilson said. “They are the best fans in the country and I love MJ to death and he played some of the best ball from a quarterback that I’ve seen at this school today, but we’ve got to stop booing Brennan.”
Wilson also spoke after the team’s 24-3 loss at Duke and said the team needed to “get tougher,” a message that resonated with the team through its bye week ahead of the Clemson win.
The linebacker has dealt with multiple injuries during his five-year career at NC State, but Doeren was happy to see that Wilson will be able to continue to play the rest of the season.
“I’m just thankful for him,” Doeren said. “He’s the one that’s been through it medically, put in the time, the effort, the hours to play this sport. It means the world to him, and you can see that in his play. … That guy is just a wrecking ball out there in so many ways: his effort, his energy, his leadership. Thankful that he gets to continue the journey with us.”
