Drake Thomas is officially a Super Bowl champion - and what a journey it’s been.
The former NC State linebacker, who went undrafted just a few years ago, now finds himself on top of the football world, hoisting the Lombardi Trophy after helping lead the Seattle Seahawks to a 29-13 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX. In his first season as a starter, Thomas played a key role in Seattle’s dominant “Darkside Defense,” capping off a breakout year that few could have predicted but even fewer would question now.
With the win, Thomas becomes the 17th former NC State player to win a Super Bowl - the 16th to do it as a player, joining a proud tradition that includes names like Joe Thuney, Mike Cofer, and Perry Williams, all of whom have multiple rings. Add in Bill Cowher’s win as a head coach, and the Wolfpack’s Super Bowl legacy now includes 22 championships across its alumni.
Thomas didn’t get to notch a sack in the big game - even though Seattle’s defense brought down Patriots quarterback Drake Maye six times - but he made his presence felt. He finished with six total tackles, ranking third on a loaded Seahawks defense that’s become one of the league’s most feared units. That kind of impact on the sport’s biggest stage is a long way from where Thomas started.
And he knows it.
“It’s all been a blessing every step of the way, whether it was good or it was bad,” Thomas said earlier this week. “I’m thankful for it.
I’ve learned, I’ve grown from my journey so far in the NFL - going undrafted, trying to find a way with the Raiders, and then that not working out. I ended up on a different team within 24 hours of thinking I was going back to Vegas.
Then you end up in Seattle, and you realize that’s a lot further away than you thought.”
Thomas’ path wasn’t just about geography - it was about grit. After tearing his ACL during his rookie year, he battled back to play all 17 games the following season.
That alone would’ve been a win. But in 2025, he took it a step further, carving out a starting role and becoming a key piece of a defense that powered Seattle’s run to a championship.
“This year, just carving out a role on the defense for myself - it’s been awesome,” he said. “Every step of the way has been a huge blessing.”
By the end of the regular season and playoffs, Thomas had racked up 114 total tackles - a testament to his motor, instincts, and resilience. For a guy who entered the league without a draft-day phone call, that’s the kind of production that turns doubters into believers.
And while the Super Bowl win is the headline, Thomas’ story is about more than just one game. It’s about perseverance, about proving you belong, and about making the most of every opportunity - even when the road gets bumpy.
From Raleigh to Las Vegas to Seattle, he’s stayed the course. Now he’s a champion.
And the way he’s playing? This may just be the beginning.