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Linebacker Payton Wilgar followed his father’s footsteps to BYU, but now he’s leaving his own mark

Provo • Payton Wilgar wanted to play at BYU for as long as he can remember — it’s always been his dream. He wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, former Cougar defensive back, Dana Wilgar.

Wilgar grew up with the stories his father accumulated over the four years he started for the Cougars and there was no question where he wanted to go to college. However, once his senior season at Dixie High School came to an end, Wilgar didn't really have any Division I offers. So, he took a chance.

The linebacker was handed a preferred walk-on offer to play at BYU in 2018, which he took, no questions asked.