Quick Hitter: Lea Never Gave Up On Wilson

They might not admit it, but coaches have their favorite players and they have their favorite recruits as well.

Payton Wilson‍ seems to be one of those recruits for Clark Lea.

The Notre Dame linebackers coach began recruiting the 2018 North Carolina linebacker back when he was still coaching linebackers at Wake Forest.

“As a matter of fact, he may have been the first or maybe at least the second coach to make Payton an offer last year,” Orange High School head coach Van Smith said of Lea. “So, he was first in line.”

The two clearly hit it off.

“Payton went to some games at Wake Forest with Coach Lea and Coach Lea really wants to coach him,” Smith said.

It appeared that was out of the question when the 6-foot-4, 225-pound Wilson committed to the North Carolina back in May, but as Wilson approaches the end of his process, he’s taking one last look at all of his options.

“When (Lea) went to Notre Dame, he stayed in contact,” said Smith. “He’s a great guy. I think Payton likes him a lot.”

Lea will get another shot with Wilson when the defender takes an official visit to Notre Dame this weekend.

More on Wilson and his upcoming visit to South Bend soon.