An undrafted tackling machine out of NC State, Drake Thomas turned a waiver claim into a starting linebacker job and a Super Bowl ring.
Drake Thomas piled up tackles for four years at NC State but still went undrafted in 2023. After being cut by the Raiders, he was claimed by Seattle and has since developed into a key piece of the Seahawks' linebacker corps.
Path to the league
Thomas played four seasons at NC State, finishing his college career with 292 tackles, including 46 for a loss, 19 sacks, and four interceptions, and earning second-team All-ACC honors in 2022. He went undrafted in 2023, signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, and was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks after being cut in final roster cuts.
Career highlights
Thomas has developed into a reliable presence in Seattle's linebacker room, wearing No. 32 for the Seahawks. His four-year tackle total at NC State ranks among the most productive in program history.
2025 season recap
Thomas was part of Seattle's Super Bowl LX championship roster in the 2025 season, helping the Seahawks defeat New England 29-13.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Drake Thomas
- Seahawks.com: Drake Thomas
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Defense
17 games played▶Defense · career
| Year | Team | GP | TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | seahawks | 17 | 96 | 47 | 3.5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| 2024 | seahawks | 17 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | seahawks | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Linebacker
- Group
- defense
- College
- NC State
- Hometown
- Wake Forest, NC, USA
- Age
- 26
- Status
- active
