A product of Orange High School in Hillsborough, NC, Payton Wilson committed initially to UNC to play college football. However, the linebacker later shifted his commitment to play at NC State in 2018. In his redshirt freshman season at NC State, he recorded 69 tackles. During his sophomore season, he recorded 108 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and two interceptions. 

Payton Wilson is a standout linebacker from NC State University entering the 2024 NFL Draft. After a successful five-year career at NC, he won several accolades, including the 2023 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and 2023 first-team All-ACC. He also received the Butkus Award given annually to college football’s best linebacker and participated in the 2024 Senior Bowl. And as his NFL future lies pending now, let’s dive into his background: Who are his parents?

Meet the parents of Payton Wilson: Chad and Tracey Wilson

Wilson is the 24-year-old son of Chad and Tracey Wilson, who welcomed him on April 21, 2000, in Hillsborough, NC. As an American national, Chad Wilson is a truck driver who prefers a quiet life away from the spotlight and media. At the same time, Tracey Wilson is an employee at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina who shares a preference with her husband for keeping a low profile. 

The NC 4-star defensive player also has another sibling, Bryse Wilson, who plays as a pitcher for MLB’s Milwaukee Brewers. The star pitcher previously told The Charlotte Observer, “I get probably twice as nervous watching him play than I do pitching in actual games.” As his little brother prepares for his next big step toward his professional football career, Bryce Wilson won’t be able to join him and their parents at the draft event because of travels. But he’s making sure he’ll watch Payton Wilson on Day 2 live as he enters the draft with hype from his former coaches.

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Former coaches endorse Payton Wilson ahead of his draft 

A great player should excel in their field talent and have a great relationship with their teammates, and that’s precisely what Payton Wilson is. His middle school coach, Aaron Carr, spoke out on his experience with Wilson, saying, “He was a phenomenal player, a great teammate, and a great friend to everybody… Payton’s energy and competitiveness was contagious. He elevated everybody around him. He was so intense that it rubbed off on everybody around him.” 

Another coach, Van Smith, said of Wilson, “What you don’t see is the heart on inside of the guy… He has a huge heart for people.” Payton Wilson is waiting for his turn as a second-round pick who is a favorite to land with the Dallas Cowboys. Last season, the Cowboys gave up 143 rushing yards to the Green Bay Packers during their Wild Card Round 48-32 defeat. So, it wouldn’t come as a shocker if they picked the 6’4″, 238-pounder who locked the fastest 40-yard dash among all the prospective linebackers at 4.43.