HOUSTON – North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson, a consensus All-American and Butkus award winner as the nation’s top linebacker, visited the Texans, according to a league source.
Wilson won the Chuck Bednarik award and was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
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Wilson recorded 138 tackles, 17 1/2 for losses, six sacks, three interceptions, one returned for a touchdown and a forced fumble last season.
The Senior Bowl all-star game participant excelled at the NFL scouting combine.
At 6-foot-4, 233 pounds, Wilson ran the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds with a 1.54 10-yard split, a 34 1/2 inch vertical leap and a 9-11 broad jump.
The Texans also hosted Texas A&M star linebacker Edgerrin Cooper for a visit, per a league source.
He had 108 tackles, 11 1/2 for losses, 3 1/2 sacks and two interceptions as a sophomore before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury as a junior. In 2022, Wilson had 82 tackles, 12 1/2 or losses, 4 1/2 sacks and one interception.
He injured his knee as a true freshman and recorded 69 tackles as a redshirt freshman.
A native of Hillsborough, North Carolina, Wilson chose the Wolfpack over Clemson, North Carolina, Ohio State and Virginia Tech.
He was a state champion wrestler who had 103 tackles, 21 for losses and 10 sacks before tearing his anterior cruciate ligament as a senior.
As a junior, he had 127 tackles, 39 for losses and 13 sacks.
Wilson’s brother, Bryse Wilson, plays for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.