2023 NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Report: Payton Wilgar, OLB, Brigham Young
Player Data
- Name, Jersey #: Payton Wilgar, #49
- School (Code): UTBY
- Class Yr: RS SR
- Height, Weight: 6027e, 235e
- 40 Yd Dash: 4.85e
- Arms, Hands: 3028, 948
- Position/Depth: OLB/ 1st
- Honors/Captainship: 2021 Independent LB of the year, All-Independent (1st team 2021, 2nd team 2020) 2022 and 2021 Butkus Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy watchlist
- Season Viewed (yr): 2021
- Games Watched: @AZUN, AZST, IDBO, @WAST, VAUN
- Scout Name / Date: Mike Bey 8/29/2022
Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)
- 2021 10 GP, 10 GS, 56 Tkls, 6 TFL, 1.5 Sacks, 2 QBH, 2 INT, 1 FF (Tore labrum against IDST)
- 2020 12 GP, 12 GS, 57 Tkls, 5 TFL, 5 QBH, 4 PBU, 1 FF
- 2019 13 GP, 12 GS, 54 Tkls, 4.5 TFL, 3 INT,
- 2018 N/A (Redshirt)
Player Summary:
RS SR and 3 yr full-time starter at OLB where he plays predominantly as a Rover in the hybrid defense of UTBY. He occasionally plays inside as well. He has average height, subpar weight, and marginal speed with an athletic build. He is a solid athlete overall showing a combination of good COD, acceleration, lateral quickness and agility, average balance, and explosiveness with solid top-end play speed. Against the run, he shows solid FBI as he reads run/pass, has good instincts in pursuit, and moves well in space before making the tackle on RB with ordinary size and play speed on inside runs. Displays very good range in pursuit on outside runs. Against the pass in man coverage, he displays quality ability to cover RB with adequate play speed in the flat. In the zone, he does a good job of patrolling the hook-curl zone if playing inside and the flat zone if playing outside with his solid AA and play speed while reading the QB. He shows above-average range as he plays sideline to sideline before making the tackle on WR with subpar size and AA outside the numbers. Exhibits good ball skills as he does a good job of looking the ball into his hands before making the interception. Shows elite competitiveness as he went from being a walk-on to an All-Independent LB in 2 years. Shows solid mental toughness and stamina as his play improves in the 4th qtr. Displays an above-average motor as he consistently plays to the whistle. Poor length and ordinary play strength prevent him from shedding run blocks from IOL with good size, length, play strength, and physical toughness. In addition, his poor length and ordinary play strength prevent him from consistently making progress against IOL when blitzing through the A and B gap and effectively rushing the QB.
Scheme Fit:
WLB in 4-3 due to subpar size and above-average range and coverage ability.
Power Statement:
A competitive, rangy, experienced player who plays well in coverage and is solid against the run. Poor length and ordinary play strength prevent him from consistently disengaging from run blocks by IOL quickly.
