NC State Quarterback Lex Thomas Transfers to Western Carolina

Former NC State quarterback Lex Thomas will continue his college career at Western Carolina, the program announced Tuesday.

Field General 🫡

Welcome, @_lexthomas2

QB | 6’0 | 190
Wake Forest, NC
NC State#LOTE | #NSD26 pic.twitter.com/mFOu5eLTyq

— Western Carolina Football (@CatamountsFB) February 4, 2026

Thomas appeared in two games in each of the past two seasons, completing 7 of his 15 pass attempts for 83 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

He redshirted his first season in Raleigh in 2023.

Thomas is the younger brother of two former NC State standouts: linebacker Drake Thomas and wide receiver Thayer Thomas.

Coming out of Heritage High School in Wake Forest, Thomas was a consensus three-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class. ESPN ranked him as the No. 22 player in the state of North Carolina.

Thomas has two years of eligibility remaining.

NC State Transfer Portal Departures

NC State had 22 players enter the Transfer Portal:
Quarterback Lex Thomas – Western Carolina
Linebacker Joshua Ofor – Arkansas St.
Defensive Back Rente Hinton – Marshall
Linebacker Kenny Soares Jr – Michigan St. 
Linebacker Kelvon McBride – Marshall 
Defensive Back Jivan Baly – Old Dominion
Linebacker Terris Dudley – UCONN
Offensive Lineman Jacarrius Peak – South Carolina
Offensive Lineman Darion Rivers – Troy 
Offensive Lineman Brock Stukes – Sam Houston
Safety Zack Myers- Mars Hill
Linebacker Kelvon McBride – Marshall
Wide Receiver Noah Rogers – Alabama 
Wide Receiver Terrell Anderson – USC 
Safety Daemon Fagan
Wide Receiver Jimmar Boston – UNC Charlotte
Linebacker Elijah Groves – Sam Houston
Wide Receiver Christian Zachary – Sam Houston
Running Back Hollywood Smothers – Texas
Defensive End Justin Terrell – Sam Houston
Defensive End Josh Alexander-Felton – Sam Houston
Offensive Lineman Val Erickson – Liberty