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NC State Newsstand: Payton Wilson is a Bednarik Award finalist 

image_6483441 (3)by:Noah Fleischman11/29/23

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Payton Wilson-4
Oct 14, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack linebacker Payton Wilson (11) looks on before the first half of the game against Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports

It is becoming an almost daily occurrence for NC State graduate linebacker Payton Wilson to receive a new accolade. His latest? A Bednarik Award finalist nod. 

Wilson, the ACC’s leading tackler with 138, was selected as a finalist for the prestigious award that goes to the best defensive player in college football Tuesday. He is a finalist alongside Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner and UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu, and the winner will be announced on the ESPN College Football Awards on Dec. 8. 

Wilson is also currently a finalist for the Butkus Award (best linebacker) and the Nagurski Award (best defensive player). 

In addition to his conference-most tackles, Wilson also has an ACC-best 17.5 tackles for a loss with six sacks, three interceptions, six passes defended, 10 quarterback hurries and two fumble recoveries. 

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Wilson was named to the ACC’s first team and paced the conference as the league’s top vote getter with 184 Tuesday evening. 

Tweets of the day

Graduate quarterback Brennan Armstrong owns a single-season record in Raleigh.

No. 5 NC State hosts Vanderbilt in a sold-out ACC/SEC Challenge contest tonight.

Freshman sensation Kevin Concepcion signed another NIL deal with Savage Wolves. 

Graduate linebacker Payton Wilson has a good case to be the ACC Player of the Year.

Quote of the day

Men’s basketball coach Kevin Keatts talked about his team’s offensive struggles in its 72-52 loss at Ole Miss on the postgame radio broadcast: 

“We just didn’t get a lot of good player and ball movement,” said Keatts, whose team had 10 assists on 21 made baskets. “I thought the ball stuck. I thought it was ‘your turn, my turn.’ We’ve got to do way better than that. I know this team is learning how to play together and it’s early in our season, but we’ve got to get way better than that. … We’re going to own this one. We’re going to accept it, and we’re going to battle and work our ass off.”

Today’s top NC State headlines

NC State men’s basketball falls at Ole Miss on cold shooting night 

NC State moves up to No. 19 in College Football Playoff rankings

Column: Payton Wilson should win ACC Player of the Year

Breaking down NC State’s All-ACC selections

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