North Carolina State University Athletics
Popo Aguirre Named to Hispanic College Football Player of the Year Watch List
8/26/2026 3:30:00 PM | Football
RALEIGH, N.C. – In his first season with the Wolfpack, inside linebacker Popo Aguirre has been named to the 2026 Hispanic College Football Player of the Year Watch List. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Hispanic ancestry.
Aguirre spent three seasons at Miami, where he made 2 starts in 39 games, recording 77 tackles and 1 sack. He had a career-best six stops against Notre Dame.
Out of high school, Aguirre was a consensus four-star recruit by Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN. He was listed as No. seven linebacker in the country by Rivals and the No. 192 overall player in ESPN300.
Aguirre is the sixth Wolfpack player to be named to at least one preseason watch list this season as he joins quarterback CJ Bailey, RB Duke Scott, WR Victor Snow, DT Isaiah Shirley, and Safety Brody Barnhardt.
The Hispanic Football Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Hispanic contributions to the game of football. As the premier resource for Hispanic football history, the Hall honors the sport's greatest Hispanic legends while also investing in future generations. Beyond celebrating excellence on the field, the organization will award college scholarships to Hispanic students, host youth football clinics, and promote Hispanic culture across the U.S. and internationally. NFL legends Ron Rivera and Anthony Muñoz are the founding board members.
Aguirre spent three seasons at Miami, where he made 2 starts in 39 games, recording 77 tackles and 1 sack. He had a career-best six stops against Notre Dame.
Out of high school, Aguirre was a consensus four-star recruit by Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN. He was listed as No. seven linebacker in the country by Rivals and the No. 192 overall player in ESPN300.
Aguirre is the sixth Wolfpack player to be named to at least one preseason watch list this season as he joins quarterback CJ Bailey, RB Duke Scott, WR Victor Snow, DT Isaiah Shirley, and Safety Brody Barnhardt.
The Hispanic Football Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Hispanic contributions to the game of football. As the premier resource for Hispanic football history, the Hall honors the sport's greatest Hispanic legends while also investing in future generations. Beyond celebrating excellence on the field, the organization will award college scholarships to Hispanic students, host youth football clinics, and promote Hispanic culture across the U.S. and internationally. NFL legends Ron Rivera and Anthony Muñoz are the founding board members.
Players Mentioned
ILB
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QB
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SAF
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DE
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