The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1543694
MARCH/APRIL 2026 ■ 13 TRACKING THE PACK BY NOAH FLEISCHMAN D rake Thomas wasn't sure he'd even make an NFL roster for an entire regular season after he tore his ACL as a rookie in 2023. Fast-forward two seasons, and the former NC State linebacker can add a new title to his football career: Super Bowl champion. Thomas, who rose to a starting spot on the Seattle Seahawks' standout defense in Week 3, started the team's final 17 games, including its 29-13 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, Calif. The Wake Forest, N.C., native posted 6 tack- les, including 3 solo stops, in the biggest game of his career. He played 32 total snaps at inside linebacker to help Seattle earn the second Su- per Bowl title in franchise history. Thomas became the 17th former Wolfpack player to earn a Super Bowl ring while help- ing the Seahawks stifle former North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye and the Patriots' of- fense for nearly the entire game. Having started his pro career as an undrafted free agent, Thomas relished the opportunity to contribute to a championship season in Seattle. "It's all been a blessing every step of the way," he said prior to the game. "Whether it was good or bad, I'm thankful for it. I've learned, and I've grown from my journey so far in the NFL. It's been awesome. Every step of the way has been a huge blessing." While Thomas claimed the first Super Bowl ring of his career, two other former Wolfpack players were on the opposite sideline at Levi's Stadium. Center Garrett Bradbury played all 71 offensive snaps for the Patriots, while de- fensive tackle Cory Durden was on the field for 38 snaps and finished with 1 tackle in the loss. Justin Joly Impresses At Scouting Combine Justin Joly stood at the podium during the NFL Scouting Combine media availability Feb. 26 with the ultimate belief in himself. It's what he's always been like at the college level, confident that he's the best tight end on any field. Even though he was one of 27 players at his position set to put his talent on display for all 32 NFL teams, Joly's mindset hadn't changed. It was the approach that helped him trans- form himself from the No. 2,112 overall recruit in the 2022 cycle into a first-team All-ACC player this past season at NC State. If there was anyone who was going to believe in Joly the most, it was Joly himself. "There was never a doubt in my mind that I could play. It was just [a matter of] show- ing that I can do it on a consistent basis against the best players and talent," he told reporters in a 12-minute press conference in Indianapolis. "After I transferred from Con- necticut, I had opportunities at Tennessee and NC State, and I chose NC State. The guy at UConn is the same guy you got from me at NC State." That's the same approach he brought to the combine. Joly, who weeks earlier was named tight end MVP at the Senior Bowl, didn't take part in the testing circuit, opting instead to wait until NC State's pro day. But while scouts weren't able to gather testing numbers at the combine, they did get to see him take part in position drills, during which he impressed. Listed at 6-foot-3, 241 pounds, Joly received a 6.1 prospect grade (good backup with the potential to develop into a starter) from Lance Zierlein of NFL.com. The analyst described him as an "undersized pass-catcher with the ability to expand the route tree and challenge man coverage around the field." Joly caught 92 passes for 1,150 yards and 11 touchdowns in two seasons with the Wolf- pack. He's confident his collegiate success will carry over into the NFL, no matter where he ends up. "I'm a guy that's going to get in the end zone," Joly said. "I feel like I showed that this year and in the Senior Bowl, as well. When it comes to the red zone, I'm just a one-on-one away from a touchdown. … I'm the guy that gets it done." ■ A PERCENTAGE OF EVERY HOME SALE GOES TO SUPPORT ALZHEIMER'S RESEARCH AND CARE. McKeeHomesNC.com | 910-672-7296 PROUD TO SUPPORT THE NC STATE WOLFPACK Faye eville | Raleigh | Pinehurst | Wilmington Drake Thomas Wins Super Bowl Ring With Seahawks Thomas finished with 6 tackles as part of a dominant effort by Seattle's defense in a 29-13 victory over New England in Super Bowl LX. PHOTO COURTESY SEATTLE SEAHAWKS