NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson joined a historic club last night, crossing the 400 career tackle barrier. After tallying 15 tackles against the Tar Heels last night, Wilson now has 402 career tackles, with a bowl game remaining. Wilson is the first player to surpass 400 career tackles since Safety Earl Wolff did it back in 2009-12.
Career Tackle Leaders at NC State
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. Payton Wilson, 2018-23, 402
6. Earl Wolff, 2009-2012, 400
Currently, Wilson has 138 tackles on the year, which is the most in a single season since Earl Wolff tallied 145 in 2012. Assuming Wilson plays in NC State’s bowl game, it is completely possible that he jumps into the 150’s on the year. Either way, I can’t imagine him finishing with less than 7 tackles in a bowl game. If he at least did that, he’d tie for the 10th most tackles in a single season.
1. Bill Cowher, 1978 – 195
2. Robert Abraham, 1981 – 183
3. Bill Cowher, 1977 – 176
4. David Merritt, 1992 – 167
5. Vaughan Johnson, 1982 – 167
6. Levar Fisher, 2000 – 166
7. Kelvin Crooms, 1985 – 161
8. Stephen Tulloch, 2005 – 149
9. Levar Fisher, 2001 – 148
10. Damien Covington, 1994 – 145
10. Earl Wolff, 2012 – 145
10. Andre Maddox, 2003 – 145
Also, after picking up 2 more tackles for loss last night, Wilson passed his buddy Drake Maye, and ranks 3rd in school history with 48 tackles for loss.
Career Tackles for Loss Leaders at NC State
1. Bradley Chubb, 2014-17, 60
2. Mario Williams, 2003-05, 55.5
3. Payton Wilson, 2018-23, 48.0
4. Drake Thomas, 2019-22, 46.5
Pretty sure Peyton Wilson and Drake Maye are not buddies. Drake Thomas and Peyton Wilson is a different story.