Drake Thomas Bio
Drake Thomas is an American professional football linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). Born on February 25, 2000, in Wake Forest, North Carolina, Thomas played college football at NC State University before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He has also been a member of the Las Vegas Raiders and has established himself as a reliable defender with the Seahawks organization.
Early Life and Background
Drake Thomas grew up in Wake Forest, North Carolina, where he attended Heritage High School. During his high school career, Thomas played both linebacker and running back, demonstrating versatility and football instincts that would define his playing style. He set the school’s career tackles record with 393 total tackles while also recording 203 solo stops, showcasing his ability to make plays from multiple positions on the field.
Thomas was recognized as one of the top prospects in North Carolina, earning recognition as the 22nd-best player in the state according to 247Sports rankings. He was also rated as the 19th-best inside linebacker nationally, reflecting his status as a highly-touted defensive talent heading into his college years. His exceptional high school performance attracted attention from multiple college programs across the country.
Path to the NFL
Drake Thomas committed to continue his football career at NC State University, joining the NC State Wolfpack program. His journey through college football would span four seasons from 2019 to 2022, during which he developed into one of the most productive linebackers in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The foundation he built in high school translated directly to his collegiate success.
Throughout his time at NC State, Thomas demonstrated consistent improvement and leadership qualities that would serve him well at the professional level. His work ethic and performance on the field positioned him as a draft prospect, though he ultimately went unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft. Despite not hearing his name called during the draft, his college career had prepared him for the challenges ahead in professional football.
Drake Thomas Career
College Career at NC State (2019–2022)
Drake Thomas began his collegiate career as a true freshman at NC State in 2019, appearing in 12 games with three starts. He recorded 34 tackles and one interception during his debut season, showing glimpses of the playmaking ability that would become his trademark. The experience gained as a freshman provided valuable exposure to college-level competition and expectations.
His sophomore season in 2020 saw Thomas elevate his performance, starting 10 games and accumulating 58 total tackles. He ranked 30th in the conference in tackles per game and placed fifth on the team, demonstrating his growing importance to the Wolfpack defense. The consistency he showed that season laid the groundwork for his breakout campaigns ahead.
NC State Breakthrough (2021–2022)
The 2021 season marked Thomas’s emergence as a dominant force in the ACC. He led the Wolfpack in tackles while starting 12 games, compiling 100 total tackles along with six sacks and three interceptions. His exceptional performance earned him first-team all-conference honors and fourth-team All-American recognition, validating his status as one of college football’s top linebackers.
As a senior in 2022, Thomas served as a team captain and continued his high level of play, earning second-team all-conference honors. He recorded 101 tackles and 7.5 sacks, showing his ability to contribute both against the run and as a pass rusher. Over his four-year college career, Thomas finished with 293 tackles, four interceptions, and 19.5 sacks across 47 games played, cementing his legacy as one of NC State’s most accomplished linebackers.
Las Vegas Raiders (2023)
Despite a productive college career, Drake Thomas was not selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, his talent did not go unnoticed, as he was signed by the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2023. This opportunity represented the beginning of his professional journey, though his tenure with the Raiders would be brief. Thomas was waived by the Raiders on August 29, 2023, during final roster cuts.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2023–Present)
Thomas’s NFL career took a positive turn when the Seattle Seahawks claimed him off waivers on August 30, 2023. This move provided him with a new opportunity to prove himself in the league. He was placed on injured reserve on November 6, 2023, ending his rookie season after a limited number of appearances. The experience of being claimed off waivers and navigating the challenges of an NFL season provided valuable lessons for his development.
During the 2024 offseason, Thomas worked toward full recovery and readiness for the upcoming season. He was placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list on July 18, 2024, but was removed from the list on August 12 after passing his physical. This successful return positioned him for a full season opportunity with the Seahawks organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Drake Thomas has established himself as a versatile linebacker capable of contributing in multiple defensive fronts. His instincts and tackling ability have been evident throughout his development, from his record-setting high school career through his productive college years. He has shown the capacity to play both traditional linebacker duties and contribute on special teams, which has been essential to his role with the Seahawks.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his NFL career, Thomas has demonstrated steady improvement and the ability to earn increased responsibilities within his defensive scheme. His transition from college to professional football has included adapting to the speed and complexity of NFL offenses while maintaining the fundamentals that made him successful at NC State. His engagement to Haylie Beck and his Christian faith have been part of his personal foundation during his professional journey.
Drake Thomas Career Statistics
Drake Thomas has compiled notable statistics through his NFL career, establishing himself as a contributor on defense and special teams. His tackle production and ability to affect the passer have been key components of his game at the professional level.
NFL Career Highlights
Through his NFL career, Thomas has recorded 112 total tackles, including one interception, nine pass deflections, one fumble recovery, and 3.5 sacks. These statistics reflect his versatility as a linebacker capable of making plays in coverage, against the run, and as a pass rusher. His contributions on special teams have also been significant, with heavy snap counts in that phase of the game.
College Career Statistics
Drake Thomas left NC State as one of the program’s most productive linebackers. Over four seasons and 47 games, he recorded 293 tackles, four interceptions, and 19.5 sacks. His progression from 34 tackles as a freshman to over 100 tackles in each of his final two seasons demonstrated his development into an elite collegiate defender. His 19.5 career sacks rank among the best in school history for the position.
Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Drake Thomas comes from an athletic family with strong football connections. His brother, Thayer Thomas, is a wide receiver for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL. The Thomas brothers overlapped at NC State, where they both played for the Wolfpack. This family connection provided Drake with a built-in support system throughout his collegiate career and beyond. The shared experience of pursuing professional football dreams has strengthened their bond as siblings.
Personal Life
Outside of football, Drake Thomas maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his verified accounts on X and Instagram. He has openly shared his Christian faith as an important aspect of his identity. Thomas is engaged to Haylie Beck, and the couple represents an important part of his life beyond his football career. His family support system, including his parents and brother Thayer, has been instrumental in his journey from Wake Forest to the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season has represented a breakthrough year for Drake Thomas with the Seattle Seahawks. Through Week 7, he played 50 percent of defensive snaps while also maintaining a significant role on special teams with 99 snaps in that phase of the game. His dual contributions on defense and special teams have made him a valuable member of the Seahawks roster and coaching staff.
Thomas recorded 32 combined tackles through the first half of the 2025 season, including 16 solo tackles. He also registered two sacks, demonstrating his ability to pressure the quarterback and disrupt opposing passing attacks. The increased defensive role came as he continued to develop and adapt to the Seahawks defensive scheme. His performance improvement throughout the early portion of the season earned him additional playing time and responsibility.
The momentum Thomas built during the 2025 season positioned him as a consistent contributor for the Seahawks defense. His ability to stay healthy and maintain performance has been a key factor in his success. With continued development and opportunity, Thomas appears poised to remain an important part of the Seahawks linebacker rotation for seasons to come.