As <a href="https://gopack.com/">NC State’s</a> defensive scheme prepares to change under new coordinator <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/coach/dj-eliot-133360/">D.J. Eliot</a> in 2025, the Wolfpack picked up a key commitment to shape the personnel needed in the 3-4 defense. Temple EDGE <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/tra-thomas-147908/">Tra Thomas</a> announced his pledge to NC State on Monday. 



Thomas, who played for Eliot during the 2022 season with the Owls, has one year of eligibility remaining. 



The Glen Burnie, Md., native logged 28 total tackles, including 4.5 for a loss, with 2 sacks as he started all 12 games for the Owls this past season. He was one of four players to start every game on Temple’s defense this season, while he was a captain for three weeks. 



Thomas has played both at linebacker and the defensive line in his career, setting up the likely position to be a key pass rusher for NC State this coming fall. 



Before he arrived at Temple, Thomas played one season at Independence (Kan.) Community College. He recorded 39 total tackles, including 5.5 for a loss, with 2 sacks and an interception as a linebacker for the Pirates. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/rdura-aloft-raleigh/"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="400" height="100" src="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2021/11/01151806/Aloft-Digital-400x100-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-394349" srcset="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2021/11/01151806/Aloft-Digital-400x100-1.jpg 400w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2021/11/01151806/Aloft-Digital-400x100-1-300x75.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a></figure>



Thomas redshirted the 2022 season after he suffered a season-ending knee injury through four games, where he logged nine stops, including 4 for a loss and 3 sacks in Eliot’s only season at Temple. He returned to action in 2023 on the Owls’ defensive line and recorded 30 total tackles. 



The 6-foot-4, 230-pound outside linebacker finished his Temple career with 72 total tackles, including 13.5 for a loss, and 8 sacks during his three years in Philadelphia. Thomas was an Athlon Sports All-American Athletic Conference Preseason Fourth Team selection before the 2024 campaign.



Thomas is NC State’s eighth transfer portal commitment of the cycle. He joins cornerbacks <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jaren-sensabaugh-174831/">Jaren Sensabaugh</a> (Missouri) and <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jamel-johnson-239677/">Jamel Johnson</a> (Temple), linebacker <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/aj-richardson-247414/">AJ Richardson </a>(Norfolk State), offensive linemen <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/brock-stukes-247262/">Brock Stukes</a> (NC A&T), <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jalen-grant-54288/">Jalen Grant</a> (Purdue) and <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/teague-andersen-111025/">Teague Andersen</a> (Utah State) and tight end <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/cody-hardy-246980/">Cody Hardy</a> (Elon).

Tra Thomas

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Temple transfer EDGE Tra Thomas commits to NC State

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