Will Payton Wilson play for NC State in Pop-Tarts Bowl? Here’s his decision
N.C. State fans saw Payton Wilson wear the Wolfpack jersey for one final time on senior day.
The graduate student announced on Christmas Eve that he will not play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
“Playing football at N.C. State and training and competing with my teammates has been an experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life,” Wilson said in a statement. “Now it’s time for me to start to prepare for the next chapter of my football career.
“After discussions with my family and advisors, I have made the difficult decision to opt out of playing in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.”
Wilson plans to attend the game to support his teammates. Following the bowl game, Wilson will train for the 2024 NFL Combine.
Originally from Hillsborough, North Carolina, Wilson leaves the program as one of the best linebackers in program history.
This season alone, he finished with 138 total tackles, 69 solo, 17.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. He had three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one pick six.
N.C. State faces Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at 5:45 p.m. Thursday in Orlando, Florida.
This story was originally published December 26, 2023 at 11:21 AM with the headline "Will Payton Wilson play for NC State in Pop-Tarts Bowl? Here’s his decision."
