NC State LB Tra Thomas: "I'm Pumped Up"

NC State outside linebacker Tra Thomas recently met with the media to discuss his first fall camp in Raleigh, the Wolfpack's defense, and much more.

NOTE: Click the video above to watch the interview.

Obviously a scheme that you're a little more comfortable with, but it is a scheme that's being implemented the first time here at NC State. What has it been like to kind of jump back into things in fall camp so far? 
It's been fun. I'm just happy and blessed to be out there with my teammates. They make it easy because I got a lot of guys that want to compete and get better and learn the system and learn the ins and outs of the defense. So I'm having fun. 

Specifically with Coach Eliot.
Yeah. 

How much does that comfortability kind of helped you to be able to jump right back at things here? 
Very comfortable because I've been there. I've been with Coach Eliot since Temple. So him teaching me the ins and outs of playing outside linebacker and the techniques and all that. It helps me a lot. So I learned a lot from him.

Coach Doeren talked a lot about wanting to emphasize the pass rush last week. How important is that for you and for the rest of this linebacker core? 
For us, the linebacker group and the D line, it means a lot. Our main goal is to get a lot of sacks this year. It's something that they were kind of low on last year, and the players told me so. One of the things that we really got our main focus on this year is the pass rush and getting to the quarterback and getting a lot of sacks. So we can get the offensive ball.

Who are some of the younger players for you now, like once they get the hang of Coach Eliot's system, they're gonna be a real force one day? 
That's a good question. Well, my group, I stay Sterling, Sterling Dixon. We got another freshman named Kevon, he just came in. He's good too, and has a lot of talent. So them two, mostly the younger guys. Everybody else is more around my age or older, so.

How excited are you to start your Wolfpack career in a rivalry game? 
I'm pumped up. I'm very pumped up, I can't wait. I think about this every day because I played East Carolina at Temple. They beat us, I don't believe they should have beat us. It is some things that we messed up on as a team. But I'm ready to dominate and destroy anything in front of you, so let's do it. 

NC State has a rich history of linebackers and leaders. Do you know that kind of history and it's kind of up to you guys to carry on that tradition? 
Yeah, Payton Wilson, Drake Thomas, Isaiah Moore, even Coach Thunder. He played there too, and I can't name any more. But yes, it's a great history and a great legacy to be a part of. And I'm happy and proud to be a part of it.

When was the last time you had a good philly cheesesteak? 
I ain't had that in a long time, man. Ever since I've been here, I haven't had one. 

You haven't found one yet? 
No, not yet. You gotta tell me a place to go to, though. 

I'm sure the listeners will help you out. 
Yeah.

Your impression of the talent around here in the defense? 
We got a lot of talent and a lot of weapons. I feel like it's from the ones to the twos to the threes, there's no drop offs. Everybody, if the ones come out, the twos come in, it feels the same. So I feel like the talent is great. Everybody around us is working hard, trying to get better, trying to work on their technique and everything. So I feel like the talent is great.

In your experience, sir, the lack of drop off, is that common? 
It's not, it's not supposed to be common. People want to win games, but yeah, early on in my career, yes, at Temple, that was kind of what happens. Second, the two was like the one. So it's, yeah, it feels more comfortable to have somebody behind you that does the same thing you do.