The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1525890
36 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY NOAH FLEISCHMAN hen linebacker Pay- ton Wilson was at NC State, he always seemed to find him- self around the foot- ball. Regardless of whether he was near the ball carrier at the start of the play, Wilson would be in nearly every dogpile on the gridiron. Now a professional after being se- lected in the third round by the Pitts- burgh Steelers this past spring, he has taken that same mindset to the NFL. Wilson impressed in his preseason de- but with a team-best 7 tackles (5 solo), including 1 for a loss, against Houston. That was no surprise to those in the Steelers' facility. "He was active on defense, but I think it's reflective of the production we've seen from him [since the start of training camp]," Steelers head coach Mike Tom- lin told reporters. "I don't know that any of us are surprised by it. I thought it was a good start individually for him." Wilson, who won the Bednarik and Butkus awards last season for his stand- out play at NC State, has brought his "drive to improve" to the Steel City. He is always looking to get better, and that approach has not changed now that he's at the sport's highest level. If anything, his mindset has only intensified since he joined the Steelers. "He and I don't usually discuss how well he performs," Steelers linebackers coach Aaron Curry told 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh. "We always discuss what he can do to take his game to the next level. … He's a coachable player who wants to be the best. I'm trying to do everything I can to help him achieve his goals." Wilson, who has appeared on the Steelers' depth chart as the No. 2 left inside linebacker behind former Balti- W PACKING A PUNCH NC State To Field Another Strong Contingent Of Pros, Including Rookie Payton Wilson 2024 NFL PREVIEW