SIGNED: Payton Wilson
SIGNEE: Payton Wilson
IPS RANK: 95
SCHOOL: Orange High School
HOMETOWN: Hillsborough, NC
POSITION: Linebacker
VITALS: 6'4/225
Early Enrollee? Yes
Where Does He Rank?
| MEDIA OUTLET | PLAYER RANKING |
| Inside Pack Sports | 95 |
| Rivals | 5.9 (4-Star) |
| 247 Sports | 96 (4-Star) |
| ESPN | 84 (4-Star) |
Statistics: This season he totaled 103 tackles and 10 sacks in just eight games, prior to tearing his ACL in October.
NC State Recruiter: Dave Huxtable
Who Did He Pick NC State Over? North Carolina, Clemson, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, and Ohio State among others
IPS Take On Payton Wilson: One of the top linebackers in the country, Payton Wilson is a signature recruit for NC State.
He could have picked virtually any school in the country, and he chose to stay home and play for the Wolfpack, spurning local rival North Carolina.
On film, Wilson flashes elite traits.
Incredibly instinctive, Wilson has a nose for the football and is extremely aggressive. He can rush the passer, chase down plays all over the field, and cover slot receivers and tight ends.
With his frame he could potentially grow into a defensive end, but as of now he'll start out at linebacker. A mid-year enrollee, look for Wilson to work extremely hard in hopes of being ready for fall camp.
If he's cleared next fall, Wilson will have a chance at winning a starting job.