Meet the parents of NC State LB Payton Wilson
Payton Wilson, a Hillsborough, North Carolina, native and alum of Orange High School, first committed to play college football at UNC. The linebacker changed his mind, though, and decided to play for NC State in 2018. He has 69 tackles in his redshirt freshman year at NC State. He racked up 108 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and two interceptions in his sophomore campaign.
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NC State University’s outstanding linebacker Payton Wilson is a 2024 NFL Draft prospect. He received multiple awards following his stellar five-year career at NC, including first-team All-ACC and the 2023 ACC Defensive Player of the Year. He also took part in the 2024 Senior Bowl and was awarded the Butkus Award, which is presented to the top linebacker in college football each year. While his NFL career is still in the balance, let’s take a look at his past. Who are his parents?
Introducing Chad and Tracey Wilson, Payton Wilson’s parents.
Wilson was born in Hillsborough, North Carolina, on April 21, 2000, to Chad and Tracey Wilson. Wilson is now 24 years old. Chad Wilson is a truck driver who is an American national who would rather live a quiet life away from the spotlight and media. In addition, Tracey Wilson, a worker at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, prefers to maintain a low profile, much like her spouse.
The second sister of the NC 4-star defensive player is Bryse Wilson, an MLB pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. The famed pitcher once admitted to The Charlotte Observer, “I get probably twice as nervous watching him play than I do pitching in actual games.” Traveling obligations will prevent Bryce Wilson from joining him and their parents at the draft event, as his younger brother gets ready for the next big step toward his professional football career. But with all the buzz around him from his former coaches heading into the draft, he’s making sure he watches Payton Wilson on Day 2 live.
Coaches from the past recommend Payton Wilson before the draft
Payton Wilson possesses both exceptional field talent and a strong rapport with teammates, making him an excellent player. Aaron Carr, his middle school coach, discussed his interaction with Wilson in a statement, “He was a phenomenal player, a great teammate, and a great friend to everybody… Payton’s energy and competitiveness was contagious. He elevated everybody around him. He was so intense that it rubbed off on everybody around him.”
Van Smith, a different coach, stated of Wilson, “What you don’t see is the heart on inside of the guy… He has a huge heart for people.”
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As the frontrunner to be selected in the second round by the Dallas Cowboys, Payton Wilson is waiting for his opportunity. The previous season, the Cowboys allowed the Green Bay Packers to amass 143 rushing yards in their 48-32 loss in the Wild Card Round. Therefore, it wouldn’t be shocking if they selected the 6’4″, 238-pound player who ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash, the fastest of all the potential linebackers.
