Payton Wilson

Payton Wilson, a promising linebacker, was born on April 21, 2000, in Hillsborough, North Carolina. He excelled at Orange High School in North Carolina before attending North Carolina State University. As a key player in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Wilson's college career set the stage for his professional journey. Drafted in 2024 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Wilson was selected in the third round as the 98th pick. His entry into the NFL marked a significant milestone, with his rookie year aligning with the Steelers' storied tradition of strong defensive play. Standing at 76 inches and weighing 242 pounds, Wilson brought an imposing presence to the field. In his debut season, Wilson played 17 games, starting in four of them. He demonstrated his defensive prowess by recording 109 combined tackles, including 62 solo and 47 assists. His impactful play resulted in 2 sacks and a noteworthy interception return of 17 yards. Wilson's ability to tackle for loss was evident, contributing 6 tackles for a total loss of 31 yards. During the postseason, Wilson continued to exhibit his defensive skills with 1 tackle and 1 pass defended in his single playoff appearance. Despite being early in his career, Wilson's contributions to the Steelers' defense underscore his potential as a formidable linebacker in the NFL.