Payton Wilgar - Football | byucougars.com

Payton Wilgar

Linebacker 49

Ht/Wt

235 lbs.

Class

Junior

Hometown

St. George,

Utah

Last School

Dixie High School

Roster Years

2018-2022

2021
- Played 10 games, starting in each
- Despite season-ending injury, finished as BYU's third-leading tackler with 56 (29 solo, six for loss), 1.5 sacks, two quarterback hurries, two interceptions and a forced fumble.
- Pro Football Network Independent Linebacker of the Year
- Pro Football Network All-Independent First Team Defense
- Phil Steele All-Independent Second Team Defense
- Bronco Nagurski Trophy watchlist
- Butkus Award watchlist
- Recorded fifth career interception in the Cougars' 66-49 win over Virginia.
- Totaled a career high 11 tackles (six solo, five assist) in win over Virginia
2020
- Named Second Team All-Independent
- Made 57 tackles, No. 3 on team, with 5 tackles for loss, while adding a team-best 5 QB hurries, 4 pass breakups and forced a fumble
- Helped strong BYU defense in 2020 rank No. 4 in scoring defense (15.3), No. 12 in total defense (317.4), No. 19 in rushing defense (119.9) and No. 24 in passing defense (197.5)
2019
- Started 12 of 13 games at linebacker
- Named to Pro Football Focus All-Freshman Team
- Led the team and tied for No. 2 nationally among linebackers with three interceptions
- Recorded 54 total tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss
- Season-high 10 tackles against No. 21 Washington
See "Year" tab for further information

BYU Hall of Fame

Freshman Year 2019

Started 12 of 13 games at linebacker
Named to Pro Football Focus All-Freshman Team
Led the team and tied for No. 2 nationally among linebackers with three interceptions
Had 54 total tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss
Season-high 10 tackles against No. 21 Washington
Had at least five tackles in five games
Two-time player of the game for weeks against No. 24 USC and Utah State

Sophmore Year 2021

Played in and started 10 games.
Despite season-ending injury, finished as BYU's third-leading tackler with 56 (29 solo, six for loss), 1.5 sacks, two quarterback hurries, two interceptions and a forced fumble.
Six games with five or more tackles.
Pro Football Network Independent Linebacker of the Year
Pro Football Network All-Independent First Team Defense
Phil Steele All-Independent Second Team Defense
Bronco Nagurski Trophy watchlist
Butkus Award watchlist
Recorded career highs for single game tackles-for-loss with two for -12 yards against Arizona and two for -4 yards versus South Florida.
Recorded fourth career interception with touchdown-saving pick versus Baylor.
Recorded fifth career interception, leading to a Tyler Allgeier rushing score in the Cougars' 66-49 win over Virginia.
Totaled a career high 11 tackles (six solo, five assist) in win over Virginia.

Junior Year 2022

Senior Year

Graduate Year

Redshirt Year

Medical Redshirt Year

Sophomore 2020

Named Second Team All-Independent
Key player in run and pass defense on a BYU defense rated in the top-10 most of the year
Made 57 tackles, No. 3 on team, with 5 tackles for loss, while adding a team-best 5 QB hurries, 4 pass breakups and forced a fumble
Helped strong BYU defense in 2020 rank No. 4 in scoring defense (15.3), No. 12 in total defense (317.4), No. 19 in rushing defense (119.9) and No. 24 in passing defense (197.5)