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

BYU Highlights

Wilgar played linebacker as a four-year starter at BYU (2018-22) appearing in 45 games with 40 starts. He tallied 198 total tackles (103 solo) along with 5 interceptions, 10 pass breakups and 16.5 tackles for loss. His accomplished career includes the following highlights:

Pro Football Network Independent Linebacker of the Year and All-Independent First Team Defense (2021), Phil Steele All-Independent Second Team Defense (2021), Bronco Nagurski Trophy watchlist (2021), Butkus Award watchlist (2021) and Pro Football Focus All-Freshman Team (2019).
Played in and started seven games in 2022, recording 30 tackles (nine solo) and a pass breakup.
In 2021, he played in and started 10 games before a season-ending injury. He 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. He also had six games with five or more tackles and a career-high 11 tackles in BYU's 66-49 win over Virginia.
Named Second Team All-Independent in 2020, registering 57 tackles (third on the team) with 5 tackles for loss while adding a team-best 5 QB hurries, 4 pass breakups and a forced fumble. He helped BYU's defense rank No. 4 in scoring defense (15.3) and No. 12 in total defense during BYU's 11-1 season and No. 11 national finish.
In 2019, he started 12 of 13 games, leading the team with three interceptions (tied for No. 2 nationally). He had at least five tackles in five games while being named player of the game twice (vs. No. 24 USC and at Utah State).

*See Year tab for additional information

Personal

Major: Geography
Parents are Dana and Misti
Wife's name is Christine, married in 2019. They have one son named Madden
Dad, Dana, played defensive back at BYU from 1973-76
Knows how to ride a unicycle

Before BYU

Prepped at Dixie High School
Totaled 131 career tackles for the Flyers
Posted nine career interceptions
4A Deseret News All-State Honorable Mention as a senior in 2017
Also played basketball

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

Played in and started seven games
Recorded 30 tackles (nine solo) and a pass breakup

Senior Year

Graduate Year

Redshirt Year

Played in three games

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)