Running in the Family

Lex Thomas doesn’t hesitate to name his first NC State fan memory. It was 2017. His oldest brother, Thayer, was a freshman walk-on wide receiver for the Wolfpack. “They were playing Louisville on a Thursday night versus Lamar Jackson,” Thomas says, remembering NC State’s 39-25 win. “That was the first game I was able to go to, and it happened to be one of the most historic games in NC State history.”

So it makes sense that Thomas, a redshirt sophomore reserve quarterback from Wake Forest, N.C., soaks up every second in Carter-Finley. That’s always been the Thomas way. His brother Thayer Thomas ’20 was a prolific wide receiver and is now with the Denver Broncos. And his other brother, Drake Thomas ’22, starred for the Wolfpack as a linebacker and now plays for the Seattle Seahawks.

Lex Thomas says that he and Thayer are somewhat wired the same: cool, calm and collected, with Drake showing more intensity on the field. The youngest Thomas doesn’t feel pressure to live up to his brothers’ legacy, and being his own self is a priority to him. “I want to create my own name,” he says.

But, Lex says, Thayer and Drake did set a great example of how to carry themselves in the Wolfpack program. So Lex knew a lot of what the program was about when he committed to NC State in 2023. But one thing that has surprised him two years in is just how strong the family atmosphere is. “From the coaches to the strength staff, from the trainers to the players, we’re all on one mission under Coach [Dave] Doeren,” he says. “And I think it’s very impressive to see that many people moving in the same direction. Everyone loves one another, and everyone has each other’s back.”

Spoken like a true Wolfpack family guy.

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