Miami transfer LB Popo Aguirre used to study former Wolfpack standout Payton Wilson

By Noah Fleischman

Popo Aguirre found himself standing inside a blaring Carter-Finley Stadium late in his freshman season. He had aspirations of becoming one of the top middle linebackers in college football when he arrived at Miami in 2023, and the Hurricanes’ road trip to NC State provided a chance for him to become that. 

But not with what he did on the field. Instead, it was going to arrive based on who he was able to watch.

Aguirre, who played 10 special teams snaps on that November night in NC State’s 20-6 win over his Miami squad, studied everything Wolfpack linebacker Payton Wilson did. From how he drank his water on the home sideline to his innate ability to find himself around the ball at all times, the eager defender was the student from afar. 

For a freshman linebacker like Aguirre, it was a master’s-level course in how to evolve his game from good to great. There’s a reason why Wilson was on track to winning the Bednarik and Butkus Awards that season, and Aguirre wanted to glean as much as he could from the Pack’s standout linebacker.

“I was looking at everything he did, “Aguirre said with a laugh. “He was a dawg.”

Ironically, three seasons later, Aguirre is looking to step into the very shoes that Wilson had in NC State’s defense. The program brought the Miami transfer in via the portal this past January following in the footsteps of Caden Fordham, Wilson’s direct disciple, who exhausted his eligibility after leading the ACC in tackles this past fall.

NC State has a long history of successful linebackers, including Super Bowl champion Drake Thomas, current position coach Isaiah Moore and Wilson. Aguirre wants to etch his name in that elite group. 

And, to this point of spring practice, Aguirre has set an example that appears to follow exactly how his successful predecessors carried themselves in Raleigh. He’s about the process, focusing on the day-to-day approach of improvement, while also locked in on leading the defense around him. 

After all, Aguirre was a rotational linebacker at Miami this past fall, serving an integral role in the middle of the Hurricanes’ defense. He knows what it takes to make it to the national championship after Miami lost to Indiana, 27-21, with the title on the line this past January.

For the linebacker, who turned in a career-best 43 tackles this past fall, it’s all about getting back to playing for the crown. Aguirre transferred to NC State believing that was possible. But to reach the pinnacle of college football, the methodical mindset is needed, and he’s looking to install that within the entire Pack defense this spring.

“Just installing that demeanor of winning, nothing but winning,” Aguirre said. “That starts off every day; how we practice, how we eat, how we sleep, all those things.”

Aguirre has seemingly taken the lead on the defense. Finding a way to connect with each of his teammates has been critical to his leadership style, one that has revolved around his previous experiences inside Miami’s standout unit to bring with him to NC State. 

The monotony of a 17-game run to the national championship provided plenty of learning lessons for Aguirre. Now, he’s putting them to use with the Wolfpack.

And the word that Aguirre has leaned on the most? Consistency.

“It’s an everyday thing. Everybody’s going to practice every day, what are we going to do to make our practice different?” Aguirre said. “It’s about doing those little things right. Everybody talks about that, but what does that actually mean? Coming in here every day, taking care of your body. It’s going to get boring, but it’s consistency — that’s what it takes to win.”

Everything that comes out of Aguirre’s mouth — or at least did in his first media session with Raleigh-based outlets — is about the team. He’s focused on the big picture, hoping to use his experience as one of the defense’s most veteran players to his advantage for his last campaign. 

So far, it’s been a hit. 

Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren, who is entering his 14th season at the helm of the program, noted Aguirre has “a really good command presence when he talks on the field.” 

It’s not a coincidence, either. The linebacker has emerged as one of NC State’s top leaders within his first three months on campus. It’s a tough thing to do, especially as a one-year transfer, but Aguirre has made it look easy to this point.

Fellow transfer Harvey Dyson, the standout edge rusher from Tulane, had a rave review for his new teammate. 

“I think Popo has been doing a really good job of leading us and trying to gel us together,” Dyson said. “We’ve been following his lead.”

Aguirre wants to set the example for the rest of the unit to follow. From the first-year freshmen that are wide-eyed about everything going on to those that have played meaningful roles at the college level, Aguirre hopes everyone on the roster can take something from him. 

For a player whose first introduction to NC State was watching Wilson’s every move, it was ironic that the current Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker was working out just feet away from Aguirre as he spoke. 

Wilson was one of the best at getting his teammates to all embrace one message, and now Aguirre is looking to do the same with the Wolfpack.

“The biggest thing is just buying in,” Aguirre said. “Whoever would have thought Indiana would have made it to the national championship? A whole bunch of guys just bought in. Right now, we’re just focused on the little things, coming to work every day, doing my stuff so people can see. And, most importantly, win some games.”