Over the past five NFL seasons, NC State has quietly carved out a reputation as one of the nation’s most consistent linebacker pipelines. From 2021 to 2025, former Wolfpack linebackers ranked 9th nationally in overall NFL production-a metric that factors in tackles, sacks, forced fumbles, interceptions, and tackles for loss. That’s not just a stat to glance over-it’s a testament to both the talent Raleigh has produced and how well that talent has translated to the next level.
Let’s break down the names behind that ranking and the stories that got them there.
NC State’s NFL Linebacker Core: 2021-2025
Over this five-year stretch, five former NC State linebackers made their presence felt on Sundays.
Germaine Pratt has been the tone-setter. With 577 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 8 forced fumbles, 8 interceptions, and 29 tackles for loss, he’s been a model of consistency and versatility. Whether it’s sniffing out screens, dropping into coverage, or punching the ball loose, Pratt has become a reliable force in the Bengals’ defense.
Then there’s Bradley Chubb, whose numbers jump off the page in a different way. His 27.5 sacks and 11 forced fumbles underscore his role as a disruptive edge presence. He’s tallied 180 tackles and 25 tackles for loss, but it’s his ability to collapse pockets and change games with splash plays that’s kept him in the Pro Bowl conversation.
Payton Wilson, one of the newer faces in the league, has already made his mark. With 204 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 9 tackles for loss, he’s proving that his college dominance wasn’t just a flash in the pan. The Steelers took a swing on him in the third round, and so far, it’s looking like a home run.
Drake Thomas has taken the scenic route to NFL success. After going undrafted in 2023, he worked his way up from special teams duty to a starting linebacker role in Seattle. With 112 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and a key interception, Thomas played a pivotal role in helping the Seahawks reach the Super Bowl this season.
Vi Jones rounds out the group. While his NFL stat line is modest-9 tackles and 2 forced fumbles-he’s still contributed when called upon, particularly in rotational and special teams roles.
From Stars to Starters: Recruiting vs. Reality
What’s striking about this group is the blend of blue-chip talent and developmental gems.
Germaine Pratt and Payton Wilson arrived at NC State with high expectations-and they delivered. Pratt was a 4-star recruit, a Top-250 national player, and turned that promise into an All-ACC career before being drafted in the third round. He’s since become one of the league’s most productive linebackers.
Wilson’s résumé is even more decorated. A consensus 4-star and Top-150 recruit, he lived up to every bit of the hype.
He was a two-time First Team All-ACC selection, won the Butkus and Bednarik Awards in 2023, and was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Unanimous First Team All-American?
Check. Third-round pick by the Steelers?
Check. Early impact in the NFL?
Absolutely.
But perhaps the more compelling stories come from the players who weren’t supposed to be stars.
Bradley Chubb came in as a 3-star recruit-solid, but not necessarily a future top-five NFL Draft pick. Yet he developed into one of the most dominant defenders in college football, winning the Nagurski and Hendricks Awards in 2017, and earning ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors. His NFL career has been defined by his ability to wreck games off the edge, and the two Pro Bowl nods speak for themselves.
Drake Thomas followed a similar arc. Another 3-star recruit, he became a two-time All-ACC player at NC State, but went undrafted in 2023.
That didn’t stop him. He earned his shot the hard way-special teams, practice reps, and grinding through the depth chart.
This season, he broke through as a starter and helped power Seattle’s defense all the way to the Super Bowl.
The Bigger Picture
When you look at the numbers and the narratives, it’s clear: NC State is doing something right when it comes to linebackers. Whether it’s developing high-end recruits like Wilson and Pratt into NFL standouts, or turning under-the-radar prospects like Chubb and Thomas into impact players, the Wolfpack have built a linebacker legacy that’s hard to ignore.
They’re not just producing NFL players-they’re producing NFL contributors. And if the last five years are any indication, NC State deserves a seat at the LBU table.