NC State duo claims top ACC football honors

NC State linebacker Payton Wilson is the ACC's top defensive player.

And now it's official.

The ACC announced its top awards Wednesday evening. Wilson was the overwhelming choice for to defensive player of the year, while teammate KC Concepcion was tabbed as the league's rookie of the year.

Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis was named Offensive Player of the Year and narrowly edged Wilson for overall player of the year honors, 31 to 25.

Wilson is the third NC State player to win the conference's defensive player of the year honor, joining defensive end Bradley Chubb (2007) and linebacker Levar Fisher (2000). The honor has been awarded since 1993.

Wilson received the most points in voting for the All-ACC teams released Tuesday. Wilson, from Orange High, is a finalist for awards for the best defensive player and best linebacker in the country.

He led the ACC with 138 tackles, including six sacks. Wilson had three interceptions, six pass breakups and a touchdown.

Concepcion, a freshman from Charlotte, is the 10th NC State player to win the conference's rookie of the year award and the first since quarterback Russell Wilson in 2008.

Concepcion emerged as the Wolfpack's top offensive playmaker, catching 64 passes for 767 yards and 10 touchdowns. He added 38 rushing attempts for 297 yards. Concepcion had five two-touchdown games in the final eight games of the season, including a seven-catch, 131-yard, two-touchdown effort against UNC.

Concepcion will return to NC State for his sophomore season.

Concepcion joins Russell Wilson (2008), running back T.A. McLendon (2002), quarterback Philip Rivers (2000), wide receiver Koren Robinson (1999), running back Ray Robinson (1998), defensive back Jesse Campbell (1988), defensive tackle Ray Agnew (1986), running back Joe McIntosh (1981) and running back Ted Brown (1975) as NC State players who have won ACC Rookie of the Year.

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye was the Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in 2022. Maye, a second-team All-ACC pick, finished fourth in the voting this year.

A panel of 51 media members and the league's 14 head coaches voted for the awards.

Player of the Year
Jordan Travis – Florida State (31)
Payton Wilson – NC State (25)
Malik Washington – Virginia (4)
Drake Maye – North Carolina (3)
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. – Clemson (1)

Offensive Player of the Year
Jordan Travis – Florida State (42)
Malik Washington – Virginia (12)
Drake Maye – North Carolina (8)
Jawhar Jordan – Louisville (1)
Omarion Hampton – North Carolina (1)

Defensive Player of the Year
Payton Wilson – NC State (58)
Ashton Gillotte – Louisville (3)
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. – Clemson (2)
Kalen DeLoach – Florida State (1)

Rookie of the Year voting

Rookie of the Year

Kevin “KC” Concepcion – NC State (44)

Rueben Baine, Jr. – Miami (12)

Eric Singleton, Jr. – Georgia Tech (4)

Anthony Colandrea – Virginia (2)

Khalil Barnes – Clemson (2)

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Kevin “KC” Concepcion – NC State (54)

Eric Singleton, Jr. – Georgia Tech (5)

Anthony Colandrea – Virginia (4)

Francis Mauigoa – Miami (1)

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Rueben Bain, Jr. - Miami (31)

Khalil Barnes – Clemson (14)

T.J. Parker – Clemson (8)

Samuel Okunlola – Pitt (4)

Kam Robinson – Virginia (4)

Conrad Hussey – Florida State (3)