Payton Wilson: "We Started Something Here That I Don't Believe Is Finished"

NC State linebacker Payton Wilson has made his decision.  The Wolfpack star will return for a final season, and he discussed his decision with Inside Pack Sports.

NOTE: Click the video above to watch the interview with Wilson.

Payton, what went into that decision for you?
It was a long process, something I’ve been honestly thinking about all year.  Leading up to this year, my goal was to end up in the NFL after this season. 

But after talking to my family, praying on it, and talking to coach Gibson, I think we started something here that I don’t believe is finished. We still have a lot more goals and dreams and things I want to accomplish at NC State.

We have a set of guys coming back I can accomplish those goals with.

When did you finalize your decision?
Honestly not too long ago, probably about a week ago.  I finally decided that it was the right decision and what my heart and gut was pushing.  I prayed on it, and that’s where I was leaning to.

Your brother is a professional athlete. Did you ever lean on him for advice?
Me and my family are really close... my brother has been through this.  Like he said, he can’t really make this decision for me.  Nobody can make this decision for me, everybody can weigh in.

I can’t go to the next level if my heart is not there and I want to be back here.  You have to do what your heart wants you to do.

You have a great relationship with coach Doeren and coach Gibson. What was their reaction when you told them?
They were really excited.  Coach Gibson thought that was the end of one of his better linebacking groups he’s had.

I sat down with him for a long time and he helped me, not to make the decision but he was there for me and supported me in either way, if I wanted to leave or come back.

Knowing that he supports me outside of not just playing for him meant a lot to me and honestly made my decision for me.

He’s staying as well, with State signing him to an extension.
Yes, if coach Gibson had left there probably would have been no reason for me to come back, but he and I are on the same page. We both are on the same mission and we haven’t completed it yet. We have a set of guys, with me and he as well to come back and work as hard as we possibly can.

Did graduating in December play any role at all?
Like coach Doeren said, you chase two dreams, and one of my dreams is now complete. Now I can really put all my eggs in this one basket and give it all that I truly can.

How excited are you to have this decision behind you?
It’s exciting. It’s like taking a weight off your back. It’s something you think about so long and obviously you don’t want to, but you think about what people are going to think.

To get this annoucement out there and have Wolfpack Nation behind me, it’s truly exciting.