SIGNED: Drake Thomas
SIGNEE: Drake Thomas
IPS RANK: 91
SCHOOL: Heritage HS
HOMETOWN: Wake Forest, NC
POSITION: Linebacker
VITALS: 6'1”/230
Early Enrollee? Yes
Where Does He Rank?
| MEDIA OUTLET | RANKING |
| Composite | 88.5 |
| Inside Pack Sports | 91 |
| Rivals | 5.7 (3-Star) |
| 247 | 87 |
| ESPN | 77 |
Statistics: 280 yards rushing, seven touchdowns, 123 tackles, two interceptions, three sacks.
Why NC State? “It's a big deal. Whenever I'm there I feel comfortable. I know the guys... with my brother on the team I've met other guys there... I have a home feeling and I feel comfortable there. It means a lot to me, especially because I'm playing with my brother. I know they'll be at every game.”
Who Did He Pick NC State Over? Michigan, Tennessee, Alabama, Clemson, Virginia Tech, and North Carolina, among others
IPS Take On Drake Thomas: While some national analysts question Thomas’ physical upside, we think that’s a non-issue. Simply put, Thomas is a hard-nosed, throwback type linebacker that thrives on contact. He’s one of the most physical linebackers State has signed in recent memory.
Thomas pursues well sideline to sideline, but his strongest asset is probably his instincts and knowledge of the game. If he has any weakness at all it’s probably the tendency to be overly aggressive. At times he runs himself out of plays, but that’ll be easily correctable once he gets to NC State.