North Carolina State University Athletics
Payton Wilson Picks Up Butkus Award Preseason Watch List Honor
8/10/2023 12:30:00 PM | Football
RALEIGH, NC – For the second time in his career, Wolfpack graduate linebacker Payton Wilson has been named to the 2023 Butkus Award Preseason Watch List, the organization announced Thursday.
The prestigious award, which has honored college football's top linebacker since 1985, is made up of 51 players – honoring Dick Butkus' jersey number.
In 34 career games, Wilson has totaled 264 tackles, including 30.5 tackles for a loss to go along with nine sacks.
Last season the Hillsborough, N.C. native ranked 15th in the ACC in tackles and was a semi-finalist for the 2022 Comeback Player of the Year Award.
This will be the third consecutive year the Wolfpack have had a player earn this preseason accolade, with Isiah Moore and Drake Thomas making the list last season. Wilson first made the list in 2021.
