NC State’s Payton Wilson Leads the Steelers in Tackles in his NFL Preseason Debut

Former NC State All-American Linebacker Payton Wilson shined in his NFL Preseason debut tonight in the Steelers’ 20-12 loss to the Houston Texans.

Wilson started the game, and led Pittsburgh in tackles with 7. He also had a tackle for loss in his very first place.

Payton. Wilson. 2 plays, 2 tackles, including this TFL.

The #Steelers got a STEAL 🤯 pic.twitter.com/VjuCjNoDet

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) August 9, 2024

Payton Wilson making his presence known. #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/FXADyVUyGp

— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) August 9, 2024

Preseason rocks because of plays like this (or because I desperately miss football).

Rookie Beanie Bishop comes on the blitz while rookie Cade Stover works open for his QB and beats rookie Payton Wilson. pic.twitter.com/9JqBgQuR1x

— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) August 10, 2024

#FFIDP – Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers tonight (P1):

No Pat Queen

Elandon Roberts & Payton Wilson start (100% of 3 drives/12 snaps)

Roberts’ night is done first.
Wilson stayed on later with Robinson.

Would view them:
LB1: Queen
LB2: Roberts
LB3: Wilson
Holcomb (injured) pic.twitter.com/6lMPnBQlS8

— Jon Macri (@PFF_Macri) August 10, 2024

The Steelers drafted Wilson in the 3rd round back in April, with the 98th overall pick.

Winner of the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Winner of the Butkus Award, given to the best Linebacker in College Football. Winner of the Bednarik Award, given to the best Defensive player in College football. Unanimous All-American. 3rd best PFF Grade by a Linebacker in 2023. Fastest 40-time by a LB at the NFL Combine.

Wilson was the 7th Linebacker drafted this year, and something tells me 31 other NFL teams are going to regret passing on the Wolfpack legend.