Steelers DC Austin Thinks Payton Wilson Could be Dime LB Day 1

Steelers Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin is impressed with former NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson, and thinks he could possibly be their Dime Linebacker from Day 1.

“He can really run. That guy can move. He’s really sharp. He’s into football. He asks great football question. I think he’s going to have a legitimate shot to be a Dime linebacker, right off the bat,” said Austin. “He can cover. He can run. He’s smart. Once we get the pads on, that’s when we’ll make the final determination.” (Link)

Aaron Curry, Linebacker’s Coach for Pittsburgh, also has had glowing things to say about Wilson.

“My background, spent a lot of time with Bobby Wagner. Bobby played fast like that, so seeing that speed, it’s really exciting because you know there’s gonna be some plays that only his speed can make. So I’m excited. I’m looking forward to those opportunities for him,” Curry said at minicamp.” Pre-draft, my note on him was he’s a football junkie. And he really is. He meets, he wants to be right, he takes constructive criticism properly. He wants all the answers. He’s gonna study tape on his own, he’s gonna come in with questions, he’ll spend all day in the building if you let him. He’s a football junkie, a high football character guy, he’s fun to coach.” (Link)