Inside This Former NC State Linebacker's Rise to NFL Stardom
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RALEIGH — Since Dave Doeren took over the NC State program back in 2013, there's been a tradition of strong defensive play. The position to benefit most from that tradition has been linebacker, as the Wolfpack produced several very talented players at the collegiate level who have gone on to be valuable contributors in the professional ranks.
The latest member of that group experienced a somewhat surprising rise to stardom with the Seattle Seahawks, although his contributions came as no surprise to his former teammates and coaches in Raleigh. Drake Thomas started his NFL career as an undrafted practice squad player. Now, his efforts helped the Seahawks earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC and a first-round bye.
Inside Thomas' season in Seattle
Thomas saved his most theatrical moment for the most critical game of the season for the Seahawks. Seattle traveled to Santa Clara to face the San Francisco 49ers in a pivotal final game of the season, as the two teams battled for the NFC West division crown and the top seed in the conference. With the 49ers driving and trailing by 10, Thomas and the defense needed a stop.
Deep in the red zone, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy looked for star running back Christian McCaffrey in the end zone. Thomas identified the route and tracked the tailback on the route. Shockingly, McCaffrey couldn't haul in the pass and tipped the ball in the air. Thomas, already coming in for the tackle, lassoed the football and fell down with the interception.
DRAKE THOMAS WITH A HUGE INT AFTER THE CMC DROP 🤯
— BET99 Ontario (@BET99ON) January 4, 2026
The NFC West title is in sight for Seattle…
pic.twitter.com/3SR1zF9hDL
It was a perfect way to cap off the breakout year for the former NC State linebacker. In 17 games so far, Thomas racked up 96 total tackles, 47 solo tackles, 3.5 sacks, eight passes defended, one fumble recovery and his interception in the final regular season game. Despite being undersized, Thomas' efforts helped Seattle rise up as one of the league's best defensive units.
“I think it’s a ball finds energy type of thing,” Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said after the win over San Francisco. “I mean, Drake’s been playing great football for us and he deserves a massive shout-out. He made a great play.”
Thomas was one of the best linebackers to play for Doeren and NC State in his four seasons with the Wolfpack. He finished his collegiate career with a second-team All-ACC recognition, just a year removed from earning first-team All-ACC honors as a junior. The linebacker will have a chance to become the latest Super Bowl champion alum of NC State, alongside Joe Thuney.
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Tucker Sennett graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Sports Journalism from the esteemed Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. A former basketball player, he has gained valuable experience working at Cronkite News and brings a deep passion for sports and reporting to his role as the NC State Wolfpack Beat Writer On SI.
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