NC State star Wilson to skip bowl, preparation for draft
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Andrea Adelson, ESPN Elder WriterDec 24, 2023, 12:02 PM ET
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- ACC reporter.
- Joined ESPN.com in 2010.
- Graduate of the University of Florida.NC State linebacker Payton Wilson announced Sunday that he has actually pulled out of the Pop-Tarts Bowl to begin getting ready for the NFL draft.In a declaration published on social networks, Wilson said:”Playing football at NC State and training and competing with my colleagues has been an experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life. Now it’s time for me to begin to get ready for the next chapter of my football career.”Wilson, a sixth-year senior, put in a dominant effort in 2023, leading
the ACC and ranking 5th in FBS in takes on with 138. The ACC Defensive Gamer of the Year also led the conference with 17.5 deals with for loss and had 6 sacks, 10 pass separations, one forced fumble, 2 fumble healings and 3 interceptions.Wilson’s performance was rewarded; he made consentaneous All-America honors, the Chuck Bednarik Award as the top protective player in the nation and the Butkus Award as the country’s leading linebacker.ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has actually Wilson rated as his No. 6 outdoors linebacker for the 2024 draft.No. 18 NC State plays No. 25 Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Dec. 28 in Orlando,
Florida. The Wolfpack are trying to win 10 games for the second time in school history.