Drake Thomas: "We Want To Make History"

NC State All-ACC linebacker Drake Thomas met with the media to discuss the upcoming Holiday Bowl and much more!

NOTE: Click the video above to watch the interview.

I think it was after the Florida State game. I can't remember when this happened, but it was Tanner Ingle who, I believe you said, put the biggest hit on you this season. Was that the hardest you've been hit this season by your own team? Was that by your own teammate?
Yeah, for sure. A hundred percent.

Did you guys ever... Did you guys bury that hatchet?
Yeah, we're over that. He said he was sorry.

Since the last time we spoke since the UNC game, how has practice been? How are you guys preparing for this UCLA contest?
It's been good. We had a little bit of a break right after the UNC game, and then we're starting to get back into it. We had practice last week and this week. We're preparing for it like any other game. As far as game planning, scheme-wise, whatever. Watching film, taking the same approach that got us to where we're at.

Grant Gibson was talking about how you guys really are focused on winning this game and preparing to win. And I know the 10-win thing has been something you guys have talked about for a while now. Just how much has this team kind of like bought into that this isn't just a bowl game of celebration at the end of the year, that you're going out to finish strong and win 10 games.
That's really important to us because a lot of teams, NC State teams, there's been a lot that have won nine games, eight games. But there's only been one team that's won more than 10. There's been an 11-win team but never a 10-win team. So we want to make history, leave a legacy because this team is special, and it'd be a special way to end the season.

There has been a lot of excitement about guys who are coming back and the potential for next year. But obviously, you guys should have one more game to play with the ball game. How do you guys channel that excitement for next year, but still realize, “Hey, we still have another game to play this year before we look ahead to next season?”
We have another game. So we just need to focus in on this game, the task at hand. Obviously we're all excited for what the future holds, but our main focus is this game and that's just really what we got to key in on, and realize to be able to come out with a win like we want to do.

You guys have played a string of mobile quarterbacks last four or five weeks of the season. Would you compare UCLA's quarterback to anybody specifically?
I would say he's most similar to Florida State's quarterback that didn't play against us. But if I was comparing him to anybody that we looked at on film, it'd probably be him.

With their offense in general, any specific offense that you could kind of compare them to?
I don't really know about that. They're pretty unique. They run a lot of different stuff, and they have a really good tight end that can make a lot of plays for them.  Off the top of my head, I wouldn't necessarily compare them to... if anybody Louisville, because just the running quarterback aspect of it.

Did you have a favorite Christmas gift you’d received?
Like ever?

Yes.
Probably a dog. I got a dog when I was little. Yeah. Santa brought me and my brothers a dog.

It's not the same dog you have right there with you now?
It's a different one. He's he passed away, but I got a different dog now.

What do you remember about that Christmas with your dog? What was his or her name, too?
His name was Lambert, named after Jack Lambert linebacker for the Steelers, so we named him after that. I remember I snuck downstairs before anybody else, and I looked into the crate and he was a golden retriever. So I'm sure you guys know what they look like when they're puppies.

They're literally like stuffed animals. I remember, I thought it was a stuffed animal and then when my other brothers came him down, and it was really exciting. I think it ended up snowing that Christmas. So that was pretty cool too.

I'm sure the other guys have heard some of the stories with your brother before, but I wanted to ask, what's it been like to play with your brother on the same team, and can you tell me a little bit about that?
It's kind of been surreal to be in this position with my older brother. Obviously, we've played all of our sports together, growing up and to be able to play big time power five college football together, both making plays. It's surreal. It's a dream come true for both of us. I feel like never in a million years we would've thought we'd this position, but it's been really special.

Growing up together, how did you guys push each other or compete that kind of helped you get to this level?
Everything we did growing up was a competition. We would shoot basketball back outside. We were going to the baseball field and fielding ground balls, hitting off the tee or whatever it was with my dad. Or if it was football, who was the toughest who hit the hardest, that kind of stuff. We were just wrestling, who's going to win because I've always been similar size to him, bigger than him. So it's always been kind of like a little competition with that kind of stuff.

Do you have any most memorable story of when he got the best of you or you got the best of him?
Yeah. My first year of tackle football, there was this thing. My dad was our coach, and we had this drill called King of the Ring. So basically, two guys just line up across from the other and whoever drives the person out of the box wins.  I was like six years old. He was eight at the time, I think, and he just completely pancaked me and didn't stop. Once I was in the ground, he kept on going and I started crying. My dad got mad at him, and that's just one story I remember.

Have you ever gotten back at him for that?
Not that I can even remember. Ever since high school, I don't even think I've ever had an opportunity to really hit him to be honest.

Have things, especially over the last month, really changed in terms of COVID safety?
Yeah, for sure. I think all of our roster's vaccinated, but we still want to take precautions to be able to play in the game. I would say yes, it's been more of a conversation. Coach had a conversation with us recently about it.

Have they been pushing for you guys to get your boosters?
That probably will be a topic of conversation after the season. I'm not sure.