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Former NC State Linebacker Drake Thomas Advances to Super Bowl with Seahawks

Matthew Bradham

Published

5 months ago

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Another former NC State football player is headed to the Super Bowl.

Former All-ACC linebacker Drake Thomas and the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Los Angeles Rams 31–27 on Sunday night to advance to Super Bowl 60.

Thomas finished the game with six tackles and started the contest before exiting after 38 snaps due to a shoulder injury. He was listed as questionable to return, and the hope is that he’ll be able to suit up against Drake Maye and the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.

After beginning the season as a reserve, Thomas has started every game for Seattle since Week 4. He currently owns a 73.3 overall PFF grade on the season and has become a key piece of the Seahawks’ defense.

Thomas’ journey to this moment has been anything but ordinary.

After going undrafted in 2023, he signed with the Raiders but was waived before the season. Seattle claimed him the next day, where he spent his first two seasons primarily on special teams, logging just 42 defensive snaps across eight games.

This season, everything changed.

Thomas emerged as one of Seattle’s most consistent defenders, finishing the regular season with:

  • 96 tackles
  • 3.5 sacks
  • 10 tackles for loss
  • 6 quarterback hits
  • 1 interception
  • 1 fumble recovery

He ranked second on the team in total tackles and became a fixture in the Seahawks’ defensive rotation.

Now, Thomas will face two former Wolfpack teammates on the sport’s biggest stage – center Garrett Bradbury and defensive tackle Cory Durden, who helped New England reach the Super Bowl.

With his appearance, Thomas becomes the 38th former NC State player to reach the Super Bowl as a player. Former Wolfpack head coach Bill Cowher also reached the Super Bowl twice as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

NC State Players to Advance to the Super Bowl

Player / Coach Super Bowls Years Team(s)
Joe Thuney 6 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024 Patriots, Chiefs
Jim Ritcher 4 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 Bills
Perry Williams 2 1987, 1991 Giants
Mike Cofer 2 1989, 1990 49ers
Bill Cowher (Coach) 2 1996, 2006 Steelers
Mike Jones 2 1997, 2000 Patriots, Titans
Torry Holt 2 2000, 2002 Rams
Steven Hauschka 2 2014, 2015 Seahawks
J.R. Sweezy 2 2014, 2015 Seahawks
Russell Wilson 2 2014, 2015 Seahawks
Charley Young 1 1976 Cowboys
Dan Medlin 1 1977 Raiders
Lin Dawson 1 1986 Patriots
Dennis Owens 1 1986 Patriots
Mark Thomas 1 1995 49ers
Joe Milinichik 1 1995 Chargers
George Hegamin 1 1996 Cowboys
Gary Downs 1 1999 Falcons
Ray Agnew 1 2000 Rams
George Williams 1 2001 Giants
Corey Smith 1 2003 Buccaneers
Alvis Whitted 1 2003 Raiders
Sean Locklear 1 2006 Seahawks
Adrian Wilson 1 2009 Cardinals
DeMario Pressley 1 2010 Saints
Andre Brown 1 2012 Giants
Nate Irving 1 2014 Broncos
Jerricho Cotchery 1 2016 Panthers
Jacoby Brissett 1 2017 Patriots
Dontae Johnson 1 2020 49ers
Kentavius Street 1 2020 49ers
Ted Larsen 1 2021 Buccaneers
Justin Jones 1 2022 Rams
B.J. Hill 1 2022 Bengals
Germaine Pratt 1 2022 Bengals
T.Y. McGill 1 2024 49ers
Drake Thomas 1 2025 Seahawks
Cory Durden 1 2025 Patriots
Garrett Bradbury 1 2025 Patriots

Thuney’s six Super Bowl appearances are tied for the second-most in NFL history, trailing only Tom Brady.

  1. Tom Brady – 10 appearances
  2. Joe Thuney – 6 appearances
  3. Stephen Gostkowski – 6 appearances
  4. Mike Lodish – 6 appearances

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