North Carolina State University Athletics
Thomas and Wilson Named to Bednarik Award Watch List
8/1/2022 10:00:00 AM | Football
RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State linebackers Drake Thomas and Payton Wilson were both named to the 2022 Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List. The Maxwell Football Club announced its watch list for the 28th Bednarik Award, which presented annually to the outstanding defensive player in college football.
Â
Last season, Thomas was also a first-team All-ACC performer on both the official league team and the AP squad. He also won first-team all-conference honors from PFF and Phil Steele, who also named him a fourth-team All-American. Thomas was the Pack's leading tackler in 2021, ranking fourth in the ACC, and played 763 snaps for the season, the second-highest total on defense.
Â
Thomas was previously named to the 2022 Butkus Award Watch List and the 2022 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List.
Â
Wilson was limited to just five quarters of football last season, as he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the loss at Mississippi State. He was a first-team All-ACC performer in 2020 on both the AP and the official league teams. He led the ACC in tackles per game with 10.8 - the first Wolfpack player to do so since 2000, and ranked fourth in the FBS in overall tackles.
Â
Both Thomas and Wilson were also named to the Athlon Sports' 2022 Preseason All-American team. Wilson was a second-team selection, while Thomas earned third-team honors.
Â
Â
Last season, Thomas was also a first-team All-ACC performer on both the official league team and the AP squad. He also won first-team all-conference honors from PFF and Phil Steele, who also named him a fourth-team All-American. Thomas was the Pack's leading tackler in 2021, ranking fourth in the ACC, and played 763 snaps for the season, the second-highest total on defense.
Â
Thomas was previously named to the 2022 Butkus Award Watch List and the 2022 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List.
Â
Wilson was limited to just five quarters of football last season, as he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the loss at Mississippi State. He was a first-team All-ACC performer in 2020 on both the AP and the official league teams. He led the ACC in tackles per game with 10.8 - the first Wolfpack player to do so since 2000, and ranked fourth in the FBS in overall tackles.
Â
Both Thomas and Wilson were also named to the Athlon Sports' 2022 Preseason All-American team. Wilson was a second-team selection, while Thomas earned third-team honors.
Â
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
LB
/ FootballCoach Doeren Signing Day Presser (Dec. 3rd)
Wednesday, December 03
FB Players Postgame Presser vs UNC
Sunday, November 30
Coach Doeren Postgame Presser vs UNC
Sunday, November 30
Coach Doeren Weekly Press Conference (Nov. 24)
Monday, November 24