David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports Wilson is a 1st Team All-American by every publication Now that all the postseason awards are done, we can do a quick wrap-up. And that summary is easy: Payton Wilson was the best defensive player in college football in 2023. After having been snubbed for the Bronco Nagurski Award in favor of a less deserving player, Wilson won the 2023 Chuck Bednarik Award, an honor bestowed on the top defensive college football player. There will never be another one like H11M!Payton Wilson is your 2023 Chuck Bednarik Award Winner for best defensive player in college football.#1Pack1Goal pic.twitter.com/GuLvEoT6B2— NC State Football (@PackFootball) December 9, 2023 As you might expect from college football’s best defender, Wilson has also earned 1st Team All-American honors from dang near every publication in the country... or at least those who actually watch the games. We are running out of room on the graphic
The Associated Press has named Payton Wilson to their First Team All-America Team.
That is now 9⃣ for #H11M#1Pack1Goal pic.twitter.com/549HcrWGN1— NC State Football (@PackFootball) December 11, 2023 Understandably, Wilson also took home his fair share of hardware during NC State’s team award ceremony, earning the Bill Cowher Award (top linebacker) and Governor’s Award (MVP). Always a good time at our annual awards ceremony!
: https://t.co/3HGHYVDJt5#1Pack1Goal pic.twitter.com/Sc1H36JvEL— NC State Football (@PackFootball) December 12, 2023 Wilson wasn’t the only Wolfpack player to be honored as the best in the country at his position. Long snapper Joe Shimko was awarded the Patrick Mannelly Award for being the nation’s best long snapper. This is one football we know he isn't going to snap.#1Pack1Goal pic.twitter.com/zc4tkGuFcb— NC State Football (@PackFootball) December 10, 2023 The awards haven’t just been for the players, either. Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers coach Tony Gibson won 247sports’ National LB Coach of the Year honors. The best in the business!#1Pack1Goal pic.twitter.com/nw74Yrnafa— NC State Football (@PackFootball) December 11, 2023 The recognition is well earned given the midseason turnaround the team performed to reach the nine win threshold for the fourth time in the last nine years. That school down the road in Chapel Hill has half that number of nine win campaigns over the last quarter century. Post season recognition is the name of the game in Raleigh. Preseason hype cuts it elsewhere, I guess.
Source: https://www.backingthepack.com/nc-state ... o-mannelly