60 in 60: #20 BYU’s Payton Wilgar (Linebacker)

SALT LAKE CITY – The countdown for Hans & Scotty’s 60 in 60 is on. Coming in at #20 is BYU’s Payton Wilgar (LB).

Throughout the summer Hans & Scotty are counting down the top 60 college football players in the state of Utah as voted on by the media (and a fan ballot).

“Can also play defensive end,” BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said of his linebacker. “He has that safety background from high school so he knows how to cover in space but a really big body that can handle the line of scrimmage. He’s what you want in a linebacker and has next-level ability.”

#20 in our 60in60 is a classic BYU LB Payton Wilgar! He has all the gifts needed to be Byu’s tackle leader. pic.twitter.com/AJykzqQMex

— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) August 8, 2022

BYU’s Payton Wilgar

Wilgar is a junior from St. George, Utah. He prepped at Dixie High School where the totaled 131 career tackles, nine interceptions and was named a 4A Deseret News All-State Honorable Mention as a senior in 2017. Wilgar also played basketball in high school.

His first season at BYU was in 2018 where he played in just three games. In 2019, Wilgar appeared in 13 games, recording 54 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and a pass breakup. During the 2020 season, he finished with 57 tackles, five tackles for loss, one forced fumble, five quarterback hits and four pass breakups in 12 games played.

He appeared in 10 games during the 2021 season, posting 57 tackles, seven tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, one forced fumble, a quarterback hit and four pass breakups. Through four seasons with BYU, Wilgar has totaled 38 games played, 168 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, one sack, five interceptions, two forced fumbles, six quarterback hits and nine pass breakups.

Wilgar and the Cougars open their 2022 schedule on the road against the USF Bulls on September 3.

Payton Wilgar will tackle you and your entire family. He’s just that good. pic.twitter.com/FFPUk5IMpD

— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) August 8, 2022

About the 60 in 60

Every summer Hans and Scotty reveal the best college football players in the state of Utah in their annual 60 in 60 as voted on by the media.

In 2022, for the first time ever, the 60 in 60 included one vote based on a fan ballot.

Click here for the complete 60 in 60 rankings countdown.