Payton Wilson was already named country’s best defensive player. Here’s his latest distinction
N.C. State linebacker Payton Wilson continues adding to his resume. This week: consensus All-American.
Wilson became the 11th consensus All-American in program history after picking up first team nods from 10 organizations.
He received recognition from CBS Sports, USA Today, Sports Illustrated, The Athletic, College Football Network, PFF, Walter Camp Football Foundation, Football Writers Association of America, the Associated Press and Sporting News.
The honor comes days after earning the Butkus and Bednarik awards.
Wilson finished the regular season with a career-high 138 total tackles, 69 solo, 17.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. He also contributed three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one pick six.
The Wolfpack has now featured a consensus All-American in three straight seasons. Former place kicker Christopher Dunn was the most recent in 2022. Offensive tackle Ikem “Ickey” Ekwonu received the recognition a year prior.
Wilson, from Orange High School in Hillsborough, helped guide N.C. State to a 9-3 overall record and 6-2 record in ACC play. The Pack finished third in the league and earned a spot in the Pop Tarts Bowl at the end of the month. He has yet to decide if he will play in the bowl game.
This story was originally published December 13, 2023 at 2:59 PM.
