Payton Wilson shares the emotions of his return to the field
In 2020, Payton Wilson was preparing for his third year at NC State. He went on to lead the ACC in tackles that year, cementing himself as one of the best linebackers in the country. He ran onto the field Wednesday two years later, looking to reclaim that title as a part of a Wolfpack program with sky-high expectations.
The linebacker missed the bulk of last season after suffering a shoulder injury against Mississippi State. He’s 100 percent healthy now, and has been since the end of the spring, he told The Wolfpacker Wednesday afternoon.
In the time since NC State fans last saw Wilson suit up for the Pack, he has improved in a few ways. He said that his body feels better than ever.
“I’m as big as I’ve ever been, I weigh the most and I think I’m as fast as I’ve ever been as well,” Wilson noted. “But, more so, just the mental part of the game, just knowing and understanding things and becoming a student of the game.”
According to the roster handed out to media members during Wednesday’s practice, Wilson is 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds this year, and he certainly looked the part.
NC State started its fall camp Wednesday, welcoming its athletes to the practice field the same way the program is approaching the lofty expectations around the Wolfpack — with open arms. Wilson’s return to the practice field was emotional.
“When I was walking on the field today, I had to hold back tears,” Wilson said. “Because I do love this game. I’ve been playing this game since I was five years old, and I put my whole heart into it. Every day I go out there, I practice as hard as I can. So to be back out there, it means the world to me.”
Injuries do not concern Wilson. He’s focused on taking things one play at a time and putting every ounce of effort he has into the Wolfpack defense.
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“I just play every play like it’s my last at 100 percent, and I give everything I’ve got every play,” Wilson said.
In his career, the linebacker has 182 total tackles, including 17 for loss, to go along with three interceptions. Between Isaiah Moore, Drake Thomas and Wilson, NC State returns three linebackers with All-ACC capabilities.
Those accolades carry a lot of hype with them, but the linebacker core has not talked much about that, Wilson noted. He added head coach Dave Doeren has a very clear message when discussing expectations.
“Coach Doeren calls it rat poison,” Wilson said. “The media, they’re going to love you until you’re doing bad. So we kind of keep that out because, no matter what anyone else says, they can’t be in between those whistles with us, and we’ve got to go out there and prove it.”
Moore also suffered a significant injury last season, meaning Wednesday was one of the first times in nearly a year that all members of the Pack’s starting linebackers were on the field together. They already have a strong rapport and will likely hit the ground running in camp.
“Being back out there with Drake and Zay [Moore], it felt like I was right back at home,” Wilson said. “Me, Drake and Zay have played a lot of ball together, so we have really good chemistry. I know what Zay’s going to do, I know what Drake’s going to do and vice versa, so it was just awesome to be back out there with them.”
