Linebacker Popo Aguirre Joins Brother at NC State
The veteran linebacker reunites with his younger brother, Chino, following a January transfer from Miami.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Football
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Linebacker Popo Aguirre officially transferred to North Carolina State University on January 25, 2026, after leaving the Miami Hurricanes program. The move allows him to reunite with his younger brother, Chino Aguirre, who enrolled at the Raleigh school earlier that month.
Why it matters
The transfer fulfills a personal goal for the brothers to play together at the collegiate level. The move was prompted by consistent encouragement from Chino Aguirre following his own commitment to the program in 2025.
Popo Aguirre enters the NC State roster boasting 55 tackles and three fumble recoveries recorded this season. Meanwhile, his brother Chino has seen early action, logging six snaps during the team's matchup against Richmond.
The players
Popo Aguirre
He is a collegiate linebacker who previously played for two seasons at the University of Miami.
Chino Aguirre
He is a younger brother of Popo and a member of the North Carolina State football program.
The details
Popo Aguirre finalized his decision to join the Wolfpack only 20 minutes before the college football transfer portal window closed. The brothers, who are two of seven siblings in their family, previously attended high school together in Georgia.
Timeline
June 7, 2025: Chino Aguirre announced his commitment to North Carolina State.
January 2026: Chino Aguirre officially enrolled as a student at the university.
January 25, 2026: Popo Aguirre committed to the North Carolina State football team.
Season Trajectory
This roster addition provides a significant defensive boost as NC State seeks to improve its standing within the conference hierarchy. By adding an experienced linebacker to play alongside an emerging roster member, the team strengthens its core depth for the upcoming season.
The addition of Popo Aguirre creates an immediate impact on the team's defensive rotation and depth chart projections. Coaches can now utilize a veteran presence alongside younger developmental players, shifting the distribution of snap counts for the upcoming games.
The takeaway
Family connections often play a hidden but vital role in modern collegiate roster construction. Athletes can leverage the transfer portal to align their professional career paths with personal relationships.
Further reading
For more on the latest team roster moves, visit Raleigh Football.
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Would you prioritize playing on the same college team as a sibling over other career factors?
