Orange High School football star Payton Wilson–a senior outside linebacker verbally committed to play at UNC next season–will miss at least the next six months with a torn ACL.

His father, Chad Wilson, told the Raleigh News & Observer that the knee was injured last Friday on the opening kickoff of Orange’s game against Cedar Ridge.

Payton Wilson–who stands 6-foot-4, weighs 225 pounds and has also spent time at running back, wide receiver, quarterback and kicker for Orange–is currently the No. 3 prospect in America at outside linebacker.

He also compiled a 43-0 record in wrestling last year on the way to the 3A state championship, while playing a key role on the school’s lacrosse team in the spring.

The current plan is for him to graduate high school early, so he can enroll in college this upcoming January.

After the injury, however, Wilson will now take official visits to both NC State and Notre Dame over the next few weeks–a move his father says is “just to make sure he made the right decision with UNC.”

No decision can be made final until the early signing period, which lasts from Dec. 20-22.

 

 

 

Photo via Ross Martin (24/7 Sports/Inside Carolina)