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Chicago signed Willie Young to a 3-year, $9 million contract back in 2014, and the Bears sure got their money’s worth last season.  The former NC State defensive end only started in 8 of the 15 games that he played in, but that didn’t stop him from recording 10 sacks.  Young was on a trajectory to be a major part of the Bears defense in 2015-16, but then he tore his achilles in week 16 of last year.  Things seemingly continued to work against Young while he was recovering.  Eight days after his injury, the Bears fired General Manager Phil Emery, who signed Young to his contract.  Then head coach John Fox hired Vic Fangio to be the defensive coordinator, and reprogram the Bears defense with a 3-4 scheme, which bumped Young to a role at outside linebacker.

It looks like Young could be on the roster bubble when teams are cut to 53 players in 2 weeks.  He’s coming off of an injury and is entering his 6th NFL season at a new position where he currently sits 5th on the depth chart.

Willie is handling the situation in typical “Willie” form.  He has always been one of my favorite players with a camera or microphone in his face.

“Man, I don’t give a (bleep) about no depth chart,” he said Tuesday on a bench outside Halas Hall. “I’m a seventh-round draft pick. I ain’t supposed to be here right now. Let’s not forget about that. So depth charts have always been irrelevant to me.” (Chicago Tribune)

Not many people can pull off referring to themselves in third person.  Young is a pro at it.

“I see a Willie Young who’s getting back to his form,” Young said. “Absolutely. I never lost my confidence. It’s just a matter of me being able now to run off, push off (my leg), fight pressure off it, sustain blocks and move fluidly. That’s the catch. That’s all I’m waiting on.  The biggest thing I can control is me coming out, balling out and doing what Willie Young been doing. Going fishing. Sacking quarterbacks. Making plays. And whatever happens after that happens after that.” (Chicago Tribune)

Young made a name for himself sacking quarterbacks and making plays at NC State.  He ranks 7th all-time in school history in sacks (20.5) and 2nd in tackles for loss (45.5).  Young also earned 2nd Team All-ACC honors in 2009 for the Wolfpack.

 

Whether Willie Young plays for the Bears, or another NFL team in Week 1, he will continue to be “Willie,” and continue sacking quarterbacks and making plays.

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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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2 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

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3 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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3 days 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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4 days 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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