Payton Wilson’s All-American caliber season impresses NC State’s past linebackers

It did not take long for NC State Director of Strength and Conditioning Dantonio Burnette to notice Payton Wilson, a young linebacker that seemed like he had something to prove during his freshman year. It was a conditioning drill where the position groups had different checkpoints to hit as they ran on the field. Wilson started with the linebackers and tight ends, but the running was too easy for him. That turned Burnette’s head, who then moved the 6-foot-4 linebacker to run with the wide receivers and running backs on a daily basis. Wilson did not just move to that conditioning group, but he kept up with the skill players “It’s like, ‘Man, this kid is special,’” Burnette said of his initial impression of Wilson.