NC State Legend Payton Wilson Drug Tested After Career Day…Hey NFL…He’s Not on Drugs…He’s Just that Good!

Former NC State Unanimous 1st Team All-American Payton Wilson had a career day this past Sunday in the Steelers’ 27-20 win over the Colts, finishing with a career high 14 tackles. He also had an interception and 2 pass breakups.

According to fellow Pittsburgh Linebacker Patrick Queen, the NFL decided to give Wilson a random drug test after his incredible performance. While random drug tests are common place in the NFL, according to Queen, it tends to happen after you play lights out.

“He’s a dog: It’s finally coming to light. The dude is a steady grinder. Every single day, he comes to work. He never wanders off on anything. He’s always got 10 toes down trying to work and get better. I don’t expect anything less. He’s got a freaking drug test right now. I told him that comes when you’re balling. Any time you ball, they’ll start testing you. I’m proud of him. Can’t be any happier for my guy.” (Link)

Hey NFL…you can test him as much as you want. You won’t find drugs. You’ll just realize that Payton Wilson is simply that good.

Back in Week 4, Wilson made headlines when he walked down Minnesota Wide Receiver Jordan Addison. He was clocked running 22.48 mph, which is the fastest recorded speed by a Linebacker in the NFL since Next Gen Stats started tracking this data in 2016.

Yeah, he’s freakishly fast, but Wolfpack fans already knew that. Wilson did the same thing at NC State, walking down a Notre Dame Wide Receiver, but that time he was clocked running 23.7 mph.

Ian Rapoport just said Payton Wilson doesn’t have an ACL in his knee…

Makes plays like this even MORE outrageous. 23.7mph on this chase down. pic.twitter.com/p3khcIyzVk

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) April 27, 2024

I know…most guys that are 6’4″ and 242 pounds don’t run like that, but Payton Wilson isn’t most guys.

Through 8 games, Wilson has 71 tackles, which leads the Steelers. He has 15 more tackles than Queen, who has the 2nd most tackles on the Pittsburgh defense.

Let’s put this in perspective. In Wilson’s second year in the NFL, he’s on pace to finish with 151 tackles and 11 tackles for loss.

For perspective, the record for most tackles in a single season in Steelers’ history is 141, set by James Farrior in 2003.

Yes, that means Wilson is on pace to make Steelers history in Year 2.

Will Payton Wilson break Pittsburgh’s record for tackles in a single season in his second season in the NFL?

NC State fans wouldn’t be shocked.