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Pack in the Pros

Making the Case for Adrian Wilson’s Hall of Fame Induction

Published

6 years ago

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Three former NC State players were among the 102 Modern-Era Nominees for the 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class released Friday.

Wide Receiver Torry Holt
Safety Adrian Wilson
Head Coach Bill Cowher

In this piece, I will make the case that former NC State Safety Adrian Wilson deserves to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This is the first year that Wilson was eligible to be nominated (has to be 5 years after retirement).

(Technically the last season Wilson played was 2012, but he missed the 2013 season on the Injured Reserve with the Patriots, and was signed by the Bears in 2014, but was cut before the beginning of the season.)

I already made the case that former NC State All-American Wide Receiver Torry Holt should finally be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.

Adrian Wilson finished his NFL career (12 seasons) with 886 tackles, 27 interceptions, 25.5 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, 8 fumble recoveries and 4 defensive touchdowns.

If you look at the 12 years he played in the NFL, and dissect the stats of all of the Strong Safeties that played during that time, you could make a strong case for Wilson being one of the best, if not the best, to play the position while he was suiting up.

During those 12 seasons (all with the Arizona Cardinals), he ranked 1st among Strong Safeties in tackles and interceptions, 2nd in interceptions, 2nd in defensive touchdowns, 4th in forced fumbles, and 5th in fumble recoveries.

Accolades

Pro Bowl 5x (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)

1st Team All-Pro in 2009 & 2nd Team All-Pro in 2006 & 2008

Super Bowl

Wilson helped lead the Cardinals to Super Bowl XLIII, where they lost to the Steelers 24-27. The 2008 Super Bowl appearance is the only one in the history of the Cardinals history while being in Arizona.

25/25 Club Member

Wilson is one of only 6 players in NFL history, regardless of position, to finish their NFL Career with 25 sacks and 25 interceptions

Ray Lewis – 31 interceptions and 41.5 sacks
Ronde Barber – 47 interceptions and 28 sacks
Rodney Harrison – 34 interceptions and 30.5 sacks
William Thomas – 27 interceptions and 37 sacks
Brian Dawkins – 37 interceptions and 26 sacks
Adrian Wilson – 27 interceptions and 25.5 sacks

When it comes to NFL history, that is an elite club to be a part of.

Conclusion

Wilson won’t be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. This is Holt’s 5th year being nominated, and he has been a semi-finalist each of the 4 times prior. It’s not easy for a Safety to make it into the Hall, and if he ever makes it in, it will likely be numerous years before it happens. With that being said, Wilson’s numbers speak for themselves. He was one of the best to play the position during his era.

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Matthew is Publisher and Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He is also the Lead Pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

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Pack in the Pros

Mike Tomlin’s Thoughts on the Steelers Drafting NC State’s Payton Wilson

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6 days ago

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April 29, 2024

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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin was ecstatic that NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson was available for Pittsburgh to pick up with the 98th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

“We had to get comfortable with his medical and we brought him in on a pre draft visit. We allowed our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort. And so from that perspective, man, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

“Man, we’re really excited about Peyton. When we turn his tape on, we see him making all the type of plays you need linebackers to make. He’s a volume tackle player. He makes plays in the passing game from a coverage perspective via interception and pass breakup. He gets after the quarterback in the blitz game. He’s got a very well-rounded skillset. He’s a fluid mover. He can run. Had an opportunity to lay some real up close eyes on him down there in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, we’re thankful we had an opportunity to get him. He’s got all the hardware that comes with some of those things that I described being a Butkus Award winner and so forth. We had to get comfortable with his medical and we brought him in on a pre draft visit. We allowed Our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort. And so from that perspective, man, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

“I think you could characterize it as surprised. I mean, he is an award-winning linebacker, Butkus Award winner. Had an opportunity to get really familiar with him down in Mobile as well. But the linebackers themselves weren’t coming off the board at that juncture. So sometimes they make runs on positions at different times and it hadn’t been a lot of linebackers to that point. I think what he was number five or so.” (Link)

“We’re really excited about Payton. When we turn his tape on, we see him making all the types of plays you need linebackers to make. He’s a volume tackle player. He makes plays in the passing game from a coverage perspective via interception and pass breakup. He gets after the quarterback in the blitz game. He’s got a very well-rounded skill set. He’s a fluid mover. We had to get comfortable with his medical, and we were. We brought him in on a pre-draft visit to allow our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort, and so from that perspective, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

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Pack in the Pros

Payton Wilson will Wear #41 for the Pittsburgh Steelers

Published

7 days ago

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April 28, 2024

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Former NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson, who was drafted by Pittsburgh in 3rd round on Friday night, will wear the #41 for the Steelers.

Wilson spent his entire collegiate career at NC State wearing the #11. He wore the #11 at Orange High School.

It will take some getting used to recognize him in the #41 jersey. Currently, Steelers Wide Receiver Van Jefferson is wearing the #11.

Here’s a look at other Pittsburgh players who have worn the #41.

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NC State Football

NC State CB Shyheim Battle Receives Invitation to Jets Rookie Mini Camp

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1 week ago

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April 28, 2024

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NC State Cornerback Shyheim Battle has received an invitation from the New York Jets to participate in their Rookie Mini Camp.

Battle had 1 year of eligibility remaining, but declared for the NFL Draft on January 3rd.

He finished this past year as the most experienced player on the Wolfpack’s defense, starting in 41 of the 51 games he has played in dating back to 2019. In a rarity in this day-and-age, Battle was a 4-year starter at the Cornerback position for NC State. He graduated with a degree in Communications.

In his final season in Red and White, Battle had 46 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups and 1 fumble recovery. His PFF Grade of 70.6 was the 7th best on the Wolfpack defense.

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NC State Football

NC State PK Brayden Narveson Signs Undrafted Free Agent Deal with the Titans

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1 week ago

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April 27, 2024

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NC State Place Kicker Brayden Narveson has signed an Undrafted Free Agent Deal with the Tennessee Titans.

In his one season in Raleigh, Narveson made 18 of his 23 Field Goal attempts for the Wolfpack, and made all 38 Extra Point attempts. Narveson made some history in his one season at NC State, kicking a 57-yard Field Goal against Duke, breaking the school record for the longest Field Goal.

Narveson ranked 4th in the ACC in Field Goals attempted (23), and 5th in Field Goals made (18) this season. He ranked 9th in conference in scoring (7.1 points per game).

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