Torry Holt, Jim Ritcher ready to welcome Payton Wilson into NC State Ring of Honor

Before NC State and Stanford kick off on Saturday afternoon, there will likely be a standing ovation from the 56,919 Wolfpack fans inside a sold-out Carter-Finley Stadium. It won’t be the first time former Pack linebacker Payton Wilson drew a large acclamation from the NC State faithful, but it could be among his largest that he’s heard in Raleigh.  Wilson, who cemented himself as one of the top defenders to ever play at NC State over his six-year career with the Butkus (best linebacker) and Bednarik (best defensive player) Awards last season, will be inducted into the Wolfpack’s Ring of Honor pregame.  The Hillsborough, N.C., native will be among the fastest to ever see his name enshrined on the walls of the Pack’s home stadium after playing within those walls less than 12 months ago. Former NC State standout Bradley Chubb was also honored the season after he was selected fifth overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. Wilson, who overcame multiple injuries to become the 2023 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and a third-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers, will be the 13th member of the elite group of former NC State standouts that are forever displayed on campus.  For NC State coach Dave Doeren, it was a no-brainer that Wilson ended up in the group that also includes the likes of quarterbacks Philip Rivers and Russell Wilson, wide receiver Torry Holt, defensive end Mario Williams and linebacker Bill Cowher among others.  “[He’s] one of the best college football players that I’ve watched in my career on defense,” Doeren said of Wilson. “His story was another great story when you look at the adversity and struggle throughout his career with injuries and turning into one of the best leaders I’ve been around. That wasn’t natural for him. What was natural was playing harder than everybody else.”