It doesn't take long to learn one thing about linebacker Payton Wilson.

The Steelers third round pick in the 2024 draft out of North Carolina State absolutely loves playing football.

He has a passion for the game that is through the roof, something that began when he was just a kid growing up in Hillsborough, North Carolina.

"I always played the game the same way I do now," said Wilson. "I started playing football when I was six years old, and I fell in love with it at a super young age. I was a very active, hyper kid and loved the physicality of the game. At a young age, I was able to go out on the field and hit people and run with the ball in my hand. That's when I fell in love with it. But once I got older, there was more I loved too. Obviously, those are still the main things, but the camaraderie that you have with teammates and the discipline and maturity it takes to be great at this sport.

"I've always wanted to take it to the highest level that I possibly could. For me, it's always been about working as hard as I possibly can to get to this point and continue to prolong my career. I feel like that's the way everyone should play, as hard as you possibly can and play every single snap like it's your last. That's the way I was raised. And that's how I've played the game my whole life."

Wilson brings some impressive accolades and stats with him to the Steelers. He was the winner of the 2023 Butkus Award, presented to the nation's top linebacker, and the Bednarik Award, presented to the nation's top defensive player. He played in 46 career games, recording 402 tackles, including 202 solo stops. He had 15 career sacks for a loss of 101 yards, seven interceptions, 20 passes defensed, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.

What held him back, and likely had him become a third-round pick, was a series of injuries he dealt with in his college career.

Now, he feels like he has something to prove.

"Everyone knows I dropped in the draft due to my injuries, but I think I was one of the best people in this draft class," said Wilson. "I always have a chip on my shoulder. I want to be the best player in the world one day. That's my goal. That's what I work for every single day.

"I was always being looked at as the underdog and, wanting to be the best and trying to prove to people that I am the best, trying to prove to people and myself."

There is only one way he knows to prove it. And that's being prepared and using his natural ability.

"When you get on the field, you want to know what's going on," said Wilson. "I grew up watching (Carolina Panthers linebacker) Luke Kuechly and how he prepares for the game. I want to model my career after his, literally knowing what's going on every single play of the game. I loved how fearless he played. He loved the game and the passion that he played with you could see. And how smart he was, his football IQ. You want to be the smartest player on the field at all times. That's something that I strive for and am going to continue to work on every part of my game when I get around Coach (Aaron) Curry, Patrick Queen, Cole Holcomb, all those great NFL linebackers and continue to improve my football IQ and play using my instincts."

And those instincts have gotten him where he is today. Hall of Fame Coach Bill Cowher, who also played at N.C. State, raves about Wilson's instincts.

"Just go out there and be you. Play with confidence. Play quick and play fast. Play physical," said Cowher. "Be the same player he's been his last two years, just at another level. The preparation will be a little bit different, a little more intense. It's a more complex game at the next level. But it's still football. It's still about having great intuition and great instincts. He's going to trust his own skill set and instincts and his skill set before self. Just don't overthink it."

Wilson plans on putting those instincts to work from the get-go.

"I think that's one of my biggest attributes, my instincts," said Wilson. "Growing up where I did, in a country area, we had to make do with what we had. A lot of it was see ball, get ball. I think that's really where my instincts come from. I've really put that in with a lot of football IQ and a lot of hard work. I think it's a great combination. I think my instincts really have flourished over the last few years, and that's one of my best attributes."