Payton Wilson Has Recorded the Most Tackles in the Dave Doeren Era

After recording 7 tackles against Wake Forest this past Saturday, Payton Wilson now has the most tackles in a single season by a player in the Dave Doeren era.

Wilson now has 112 tackles through 10 games in 2023. Prior to Saturday, Safety Josh Jones’ 109 tackles in 2016 were the most tackles by a player under Dave Doeren at NC State in a single season. Wilson now holds that honor.

The 112 tackles is the most since Safety Earl Wolff had 145 tackles in 2012.

For his career, Wilson now has 376 tackles. On Saturday, he passed legend Bill Cowher (371) for 7th place all-time in NC State history.

1. Levar Fisher, 1998-01, 492
2. Dantonio Burnette, 1999-02, 476
3. Damien Covington, 1991-94, 457
4. Robert Abraham, 1978-81, 407
5. Earl Wolff, 2009-2012, 400
6. Vaughan Johnson, 1980-83, 384
7. Payton Wilson, 2019-23, 376

With three games left, I expect Wilson to break the 400 career tackle barrier, and quite possibly pass Abraham for 4th place all-time.

Wilson currently has 42.5 career tackles for loss, which is tied for 5th all-time. With three games left, he has a good chance to pass his buddy Drake Thomas, claiming 3rd place.

1. Bradley Chubb, 2014-17, 60
2. Mario Williams, 2003-05, 55.5
3. Drake Thomas, 2019-22, 46.5
3. Willie Young, 2005-09, 45.5
4. Carl Reeves, 1991-94, 45
5. *Isaiah Moore, 2018-22, 42.5
5. Payton Wilson, 2019-23, 42.5