Drake Thomas inks with the Las Vegas Raiders
NC State football star Drake Thomas is ready to get his shot in the NFL. Although Thomas did not hear his name called in the three-round draft, he quickly gained an opportunity by landing as an undrafted free agent with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Thomas was the lone NC State football player to leave the team for the NFL Draft with eligibility still remaining.
Thomas noted during the NC State pro day that he had no regrets about his decision to leave NC State early for the NFL. He did so after piling up 101 tackles, including 19 for loss and 7.5 sacks, and 23 quarterback hurries in 13 games last season.
All were team-highs for Thomas.
In 2021, Thomas also led NC State in tackles (100), tackles for loss (13.5) and interceptions (3) while sharing team-high in sacks (6). He added 9 quarterback hurries, tied for second most on the Wolfpack’s heralded defense.
Thus, Thomas felt the time was right to test his game at the highest level.
“I didn’t think there was really anything left for me to prove in college football — two back-to-back All-ACC and I put together two back-to-back very productive seasons,” Thomas noted. “At the end of last season, I sat down and I felt like where I am right now is exactly where I wanted to be.”
Thomas was invited to play in the East-West Shrine Game, where his position coach was future NFL Hall of Famer and New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
“They told me I was explosive, I was fast, diagnosed well, all the things that I feel like a lot of people already knew,” Thomas recalled.
Drake Thomas joins other new Pack Pros
Thomas joins kicker Christopher Dunn in signing free agent contracts. Dunn inked with the Los Angeles Rams.
NC State football offensive lineman Chandler Zavala was drafted in the fourth round by the Carolina Panthers, the lone Wolfpack player to be selected in the seven-round event.
Zavala will be paired up with his former teammate, offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu. The latter was chosen with the No. 6 overall pick in the first round last season and had a successful rookie season with the Panthers.
Thomas joins a Raiders team that went 6-11 a season ago in its first season under head coach Josh McDaniels. Former NC State football punter AJ Cole handles those kicking duties for Las Vegas.
