North Carolina State University Athletics
Popo Aguirre Named ACC Linebacker of the Week
10/5/2026 2:00:00 PM | Football
RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State football has had a player named ACC Player of the Week for the third straight week, after linebacker Popo Aguirre was named the conference linebacker of the week following his performance in the Wolfpack's win over Louisville.
It is the first linebacker of the week honor for the Wolfpack since Payton Wilson brought home the award in 2023.
Aguirre finished with six total tackles on 57 snaps and three pivotal fumble recoveries, setting a program record for a game (the school record for a season is five). The NC State offense would go on to score 17 points off those turnovers including the game winning field goal.
He is the second player since 2020 to recover three fumbles in a game and just the eighth since 2013. The Fayetteville, Ga., native leads the Wolfpack with 43 tackles, 19 more than the next-closest player. His 43 tackles rank fourth in the ACC and 30th in FBS. He Leads the nation in fumble recoveries and his 18 tackles vs. Virginia earlier in the season marked the second-most for a Wolfpack player under HC Dave Doeren.
Aguirre joins Teague Andersen and Keenan Jackson as ACC player of the week. Popo will look to once again lead the Wolfpack defense this weekend as it preprease to take on Wake Forest from Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10 at Noon on the CW Network.
It is the first linebacker of the week honor for the Wolfpack since Payton Wilson brought home the award in 2023.
Aguirre finished with six total tackles on 57 snaps and three pivotal fumble recoveries, setting a program record for a game (the school record for a season is five). The NC State offense would go on to score 17 points off those turnovers including the game winning field goal.
He is the second player since 2020 to recover three fumbles in a game and just the eighth since 2013. The Fayetteville, Ga., native leads the Wolfpack with 43 tackles, 19 more than the next-closest player. His 43 tackles rank fourth in the ACC and 30th in FBS. He Leads the nation in fumble recoveries and his 18 tackles vs. Virginia earlier in the season marked the second-most for a Wolfpack player under HC Dave Doeren.
Aguirre joins Teague Andersen and Keenan Jackson as ACC player of the week. Popo will look to once again lead the Wolfpack defense this weekend as it preprease to take on Wake Forest from Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10 at Noon on the CW Network.
Players Mentioned
Saturday, October 03
Saturday, October 03
Tuesday, September 29
Monday, September 28