The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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76 ■ THE WOLFPACKER LINEBACKERS "Louis did a good job this spring," Huxtable said. "He's worked very hard in the weight room. He's bigger, he's stronger and he can run. He has some experience. "He's going to compete at the Mike [middle] or the Will [weak- side] position this fall camp." The decorated Wilson, a former four-star recruit and U.S. Army All-American, is joined by redshirt freshman Calvin "C.J." Hart Jr. and perhaps true freshman linebacker Drake Thomas as youngsters vying for time. NC State also landed USC transfer Vi Jones, who is expected to redshirt his junior year, but the Wolfpack are seeking a waiver for immediate eligibility. Moore showed the potential to be an effective pass-rusher with a pair of sacks against Wake Forest, while Miller is also gifted in that department due in part to his background as an extremely productive defensive end in high school. Wilson is coming back from two ACL injuries since his senior year at Hillsborough (N.C.) Orange High, but looks ready to go. "I think our athletic training staff has done a great job to get him ready," Huxtable said. "He's been turned loose. He looks good in his movement and his change of direction. I am just really excited about Payton. "We're going to have to knock some rust off, but from what I've seen from him this summer he is moving really well." ■ If it were up to NC State redshirt freshman Payton Wilson, he would have played in the Kay Yow Spring Game last April. However, the Wolfpack coaches have been cautious with Wilson, and for good reason. One of the prizes of NC State's recruiting class of 2018, he hasn't played a game since injuring his knee Oct. 20, 2017 while lining up for nearby Hillsborough (N.C.) Orange High. Wilson enrolled early at NC State, but then suffered another ACL tear during the summer, which caused him to redshirt his freshman year and subsequently ease back into football this spring. The 6-4, 235-pounder feels good, but the Wolfpack wants him ready to go when it matters most, which is next September. "It has been more tough mentally than physically," said Wilson, who is majoring in special education after getting inspired to pur - sue that path by his former prep wrestling coach. "It's just not being able to play the game I love. It also has made me notice how you can take stuff for granted. Stuff can be taken from you like that." Rivals.com ranked Wilson as the No. 166 overall player and No. 13 outside linebacker in the country, and the No. 8 recruit in North Carolina when he was coming out of Orange. He originally picked North Carolina over NC State, Virginia Tech, Clemson and others, but then had a change of heart and opened up his recruitment Nov. 22, 2017. He didn't take long to find his final destination, selecting NCSU over Notre Dame on Dec. 1. "Going through recruiting you get all hyped up," noted Wilson, who grew up attending Duke football games. "Then you get to col- lege and it's automatically shut down. It means nothing to these coaches. You just have to prove yourself from day one." Wilson stood out on both sides of the ball and was off to a great start his senior year prior to tearing his ACL. In just eight games, he racked up 103 tackles, 21 stops behind the line of scrimmage, 10 sacks and an interception, which he returned for a touchdown. As a junior, he was a state champion wrestler and all-metro lacrosse standout. During his rehab, Wilson tried to stay involved with the football program, so that when he was finally cleared he could hit the ground running. "Halfway through practices last fall, I'd come out here after working out," he said. "I'd just be on the sideline watching all the plays and learning the playbook. Most of the time I was inside, working out during practice." Wilson has gained about 20 pounds since the end of his senior year at Orange. "My weight room numbers have gone up for both my upper body and lower body," Wilson said. "I feel a lot faster, and my body is better than it was before." The game against East Carolina in the season opener will be particularly special for Wilson. He knows some wonder if he'll be as good as he was before, and he can't wait to show the progress he has made while working his way back to full health. "You get to see your hard work pay off," Wilson said. "All that time going through mental and physical battles, it's going to be hard to control my emotions. It's going to be exciting." — Jacey Zembal Rivals ranked Wilson, who played at Hillsborough (N.C.) Orange High School, as a four- star prospect, and the nation's No. 166 overall recruit and No. 13 outside linebacker. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN Getting To Know: Payton Wilson Quick Facts Position Coach: Dave Huxtable (seventh season) Returning Starter: Isaiah Moore (12 career starts) Starter Lost: Germaine Pratt (12) FYI: Athlon ranks NC State's linebackers as the eighth-best group in the ACC … USC transfer Vi (born Levi) Jones was ranked as the No. 79 overall prospect and No. 9 outside linebacker in the country coming out of high school by Rivals.com … Both of Jones' older brothers, Cayleb (Texas and Arizona State) and Zay (ECU), played college football and made the NFL … Freshman middle linebacker Drake Thomas proved to be one of the leaders in helping the class of 2019 take form for NC State, after he chose the Pack over Clemson, Alabama and Ole Miss, among others … Rivals.com ranked Thomas the No. 22 inside linebacker nationally, and he earned a spot in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas All-Star Game … Fellow freshman Jaylon Scott joined Thomas in the Shrine Bowl after a decorated prep career at Shelby (N.C.) High … Scott, Rivals' No. 50 outside linebacker in the land, picked NC State over offers from Clemson, North Carolina and others. ■ By The Numbers 2 Games where redshirt sophomore middle linebacker Isaiah Moore led the team in tackles last year — he made seven stops against Georgia State and six vs. Florida State. 72nd Overall choice is where former NCSU linebacker Germaine Pratt was selected in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. 266 Career tackles for redshirt freshman linebacker Payton Wilson at Hillsbor- ough (N.C.) Orange High.