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T.J. Williams (2002-05) was one of the best Tight Ends to every play football at NC State.  In fact, you could easily make an argument that he was the best.  In his career, he ranks 1st in NC State history for Tight Ends in receiving  yards (1,916) and 2nd in receptions (98).  He actually led NC State in receptions in 2004 & 2005, and even led the team in receiving yards in 2004.  In 2005 Williams was named 2nd Team All-ACC.  Williams played his first two years with another NC State legend Philip Rivers, and his final two seasons with Jay Davis.  I mean no disrespect to Davis, but it makes you wonder how much greater those numbers could have even been with a different quarterback throwing him the ball for those final two years.

After his Senior season, Williams was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 6th round of the 2006 NFL draft, which was a dream come true, but that dream unfortunately proved to be a short dream.

“I was drafted by the Bucs coming out of college.  Everything was going well.  I was looking to get a lot of playing time in training camp,” said Williams. “I was performing well.  Then the next thing you know, my achilles started acting up.  I think I had to sit out 3-4 days of OTA’s at, and then on the last day of mini-camp, during the seventh segment of practice, I tore my achilles.”

The injury ultimately led to the end of his NFL career, which ended before it ever really began. Williams has tried to use that experience, and ultimately his experience as a football player to help shape the rest of his life.

“Ever since then life has been a roller coaster.  Life is kind of like football,” said Williams.  “You have a bad play, you dust yourself off and get up and play the next play.  That’s still how I deal with life. You have to get up. And move on. And make things happen.”

Williams currently works up in Chicago in the mortgage banking industry.

 “I currently work as a mortgage banker, and I love the banking industry, but it can be stressful at times, so I plan on getting back into something I’m more familiar with,” said Williams.  “Something involving sports or football.”

He makes it back every year to at least one game at Carter-Finley, and the past three seasons he’s been able to make it back to two games.  Williams says that playing in Carter-Finley was an experience he will never forget, and that his friends are jealous of.

 

“A lot of people don’t get to experience anything like playing at Carter-Finley.  The excitement you feel when you come through that tunnel,” said Williams.  “Coming through that smoke and seeing all those fans out there was amazing.  I have some friends that are NC State fans and they always say that they would pay a lot of money to run out of that tunnel on game day.”

 

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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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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

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1 week 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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2 weeks 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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2 weeks 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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