Payton Wilson wins ACC defensive player of the Year
NC State linebacker Payton Wilson received another major postseason award Wednesday afternoon. He is officially the ACC’s defensive player of the year after a stat sheet-stuffing sixth season in Raleigh.
Wilson returned for one final run with the Pack and made the most of it. The linebacker is the first member of the program to win ACC Defensive Player of the Year since Bradley Chubb took home the award in 2017.
He also finished second in ACC player of the year voting to Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis. Wilson was 6 votes shy of first place. Wilson dominated the defensive player of the year voting. Lousiville defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte finished second with 3 votes .
During his 2023 regular season, the linebacker started every game and finished with an ACC-leading 138 tackles and 17.5 tackles for loss. He also added 3 interceptions, including one that he returned for a touchdown, 2 forced fumbles, 6 sacks and 9 defended passes.
“I gave everything I possibly could have given these last years, and hopefully that shows on the film,” Wilson said after his senior day win over North Carolina.
During that showdown with the Tar Heels, Wilson recorded a sack, an interception, a forced fumble and 15 total tackles (8 solo, 2 for loss).
“It was an awesome experience,” Wilson said. “I can’t thank Wolfpack nation enough for my senior day. The applause that I got, it meant the world to me. I love this university, I love this team, I love this fan base. It sucks that it’s my last one, but I’m looking forward to the next chapter and hopefully I left a good mark here.”
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His season tackle total ranks fifth in that nation, and he is tied for sixth in tackles for loss. Earlier this week, Wilson also took home first-team All-ACC honors. The linebacker is a finalist for the Bednarik and Nagurski awards, which both recognize the best defensive player player in college football. He is also a finalist for the Butkus award, an honor given out to the nation’s best linebacker.
“Right now, I don’t know if there’s a better defensive player in the country, in my opinion, than the level that he’s playing at right now,” defensive coordinator Tony Gibson said earlier this fall.
Here are the full ACC player of the year and defensive player of the year voting results.
Defensive Player of the Year
Payton Wilson – NC State (58)
Ashton Gillotte – Louisville (3)
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. – Clemson (2)
Kalen DeLoach – Florida State (1)
Player of the Year
Jordan Travis – Florida State (31)
Payton Wilson – NC State (25)
Malik Washington – Virginia (4)
Drake Maye – North Carolina (3)
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. – Clemson (1)
