Recent NC State Football Hire Paves Way for New Transfer Prize
Roughly an hour after Tra Thomas officially entered the transfer portal last week, NC State football head coach and his staff became the first to extend an offer. And that instant pursuit paid off to the tune of the defensive end's commitment to the Wolfpack on Monday afternoon.
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Thomas, a 6-foot-4, 235-pound edge rusher with a three-star rating in the transfer portal, has one season of eligibility remaining after spending three years at Temple following a one-year stay at Independence Community College in Kansas. He ranks No. 1,389 overall and No. 122 at his position in the portal, per On3.
Let’s Work!! @PackFootball pic.twitter.com/t9FV0rcbD6
— Tra Thomas (@tragod23) January 6, 2025
The Maryland native's pledge makes sense given the NC State football program's needs and the fact that Thomas, who visited the staff in Raleigh last week, played under new Wolfpack defensive coordinator DJ Eliot when he was the defensive coordinator at Temple in 2022.
This season, Tra Thomas logged 12 outings as a redshirt junior for a 3-9 Temple team (2-6 AAC), finishing with 28 tackles, five for a loss, two sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Dave Doeren and his crew currently boast eight transfer additions this cycle. The haul checks in at No. 57 in the country, according to 247Sports, and No. 12 in the ACC.
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Stay tuned to NC State Wolfpack On SI for more NC State football transfer portal news.
Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of NC State Wolfpack on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining NC State Wolfpack on SI in 2024, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.