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It's not always about coaches or playing time. Sometimes, it's just family.
This article is from today's Charlotte Observer:
RALEIGH Sometimes the best recruiters aren’t the coaches with 30 years of experience, program alumni in the pros or even former childhood teammates. Sometimes the most effective recruiters are the ones with whom players have shared homes and holidays. Sometimes it’s a clingy little brother who once attended every game and painted his big brother’s number on a plain white T-shirt. Just ask Popo Aguirre. The senior linebacker entered the transfer portal days after Miami played in the 2025-26 national championship game. He talked to Missouri, Ole Miss and even considered staying with the Hurricanes for what was initially expected to be his final season. Instead he decided N.C. State would be his next stop. Head coach Dave Doeren wasn’t the deciding factor. Nor was defensive coordinator DJ Eliot. It wasn’t even CJ Bailey, quarterback and Miami native, or Hurricanes teammates Jojo Trader and Chance Robinson. Chino Aguirre, Popo’s younger brother, was actually his primary recruiter, despite what some sites might say. “I just wanted to be here and be with him,” Popo said. “And I was like, ‘You know what? It feels right.’” ‘You might as well come over here’ Chino didn’t even know his brother decided to join him and the Wolfpack. In fact, the younger Aguirre opened his phone in January to social media posts announcing Popo’s commitment, before he could tell family and friends. Whoops. “I told Coach Eliot, I’m gonna come. Just give me a second. Let me sign these papers. This and that,” Popo said. “It is what it is, but he saw it before I got to tell anybody.” So what was Chino’s recruiting pitch? It goes back to his own recruitment. Co-defensive coordinator Charlton Warren briefly worked at Georgia and hails from Atlanta, so he was often at Chino’s games. The freshman committed to N.C. State on June 7, 2025, during his official visit. He’d received offers from multiple schools, including Miami, but Chino loved the staff and wanted to work under Warren. He signed with the program in December before moving to Raleigh in January as an early enrollee. At that point, Popo was already two seasons into his career with the Hurricanes and two months away from his third. That didn’t stop Chino from doing what younger siblings do best — pestering. From the time he committed, Chino admitted to “bugging” his older brother. He constantly asked when Popo was going to come to N.C. State, even throughout the College Football Playoff. “He played his whole year out, and I’m like, ‘You might as well come over here,’” Chino said. The decision to enter the transfer portal was slightly impulsive — it happened with about 20 minutes left in the entry period, with news breaking just before midnight — but Popo just had a gut feeling. They knew this was likely their last opportunity to play together. “That’s when everything blew up,” Chino said. “I’m calling his phone. Mind you, it’s like 2 o’clock in the morning. He didn’t answer. I wake up the next day. … My coaches told me to call him. I’m talking to him, then Coach Eliot’s talking to him, then Coach (Isaiah) Moore started talking to him. It was crazy.” News of his decision broke on Jan. 25, roughly 24 hours after Popo entered the portal. ‘Everywhere he goes, I’ll go’ The brothers grew up in South Miami, where they lived until Popo’s final years of elementary school. He used to sneak away from the house to play football at the neighborhood park across the street. It provided respite in a full, loud house of seven kids. Popo is the third oldest. His legal name is Raúl, after their father. Chino’s given name is Markel, and he is the sixth child or second-youngest. Their nicknames come from their childhoods, and they stuck. The duo’s time together — as the oldest and youngest brothers, respectively — created a unique bond. Chino tagged along for trips to the park or at games. When Popo did something, he had to replicate it. Sometimes that meant tackling a bag, emulating footwork and body positioning, or asking someone to throw the ball with him. “I always wanted to be like him. Everywhere he goes, I’ll go,” Chino said. “It was so good because he used to let me go with him. Because some of his friends wouldn’t bring their brothers, but he sat there and let me come with him and watch. … Watching him, it really inspired me.” The family moved to Georgia, where they spent the rest of their childhoods and played high school football and received attention from college coaches around the country. Chino is the more athletic of the two, Popo said, recalling one season where he had six interceptions and one game with three blocked punts. There was something special. “He went in and was the best player on the defense,” Popo said. “I thought it was insane.” ‘The best decision I’ve ever made’ N.C. State is a brother factory, of sorts. Doeren said it’s unique and cool to have siblings on staff or on the roster, something to which he has grown accustomed. It’s a distinguished fraternity of sorts. “I’ve had five sets of brothers over the years now, six with them, it’s pretty cool,” Doeren said last month. “I can’t speak for them, but it’s got to be amazing to be in there with your brother and see each other every day like that.” Wide receiver Ashton Locklear also trains alongside his own brother, tight ends coach Gavin Locklear. And, while they’re not playing together offensive coordinator Kurt Roper coaches alongside his sibling, special teams analyst Zac Roper. Drake, Thayer and Lex Thomas are former Wolfpack players, too. “It’s the culture, man,” Ashton Locklear said. “Everyone’s brothers, to be honest. Then you have people’s little brothers that want to come here because their older brothers are telling them about the culture here, and they want to be a part of it too.” The Aguirres didn’t choose N.C. State because of the other siblings who came through the program. Though it seems fitting for a pair that possesses as much mutual love and respect that they do. (And, it’s nice that their parents don’t have to choose between games.) Chino has played primarily on special teams this season, except six snaps against Richmond, behind a veteran corps of defensive backs. His time is coming. Popo boasts 55 tackles and three fumble recoveries, leading the ACC in both categories. Some people might’ve questioned his decision to leave Miami — the Hurricanes look like a national title team again — but he has no regrets. All the badgering worked. Sitting in the N.C. State offensive line room with Chino brings out a much different side than the one people see on gameday. Popo still demands accountability and responsibility, on the field and at home, but the atmosphere is different. Popo’s face can’t hide the pride he feels toward his little brother. It’s tender. His smile stretches across his face, and there’s softness in his eyes. “It’s the best decision I’ve ever made,” he said, “being able to come over here and be with him and be able to play on this team.”
Read more at: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/article317018123.html#storylink=cpy
This article is from today's Charlotte Observer:
RALEIGH Sometimes the best recruiters aren’t the coaches with 30 years of experience, program alumni in the pros or even former childhood teammates. Sometimes the most effective recruiters are the ones with whom players have shared homes and holidays. Sometimes it’s a clingy little brother who once attended every game and painted his big brother’s number on a plain white T-shirt. Just ask Popo Aguirre. The senior linebacker entered the transfer portal days after Miami played in the 2025-26 national championship game. He talked to Missouri, Ole Miss and even considered staying with the Hurricanes for what was initially expected to be his final season. Instead he decided N.C. State would be his next stop. Head coach Dave Doeren wasn’t the deciding factor. Nor was defensive coordinator DJ Eliot. It wasn’t even CJ Bailey, quarterback and Miami native, or Hurricanes teammates Jojo Trader and Chance Robinson. Chino Aguirre, Popo’s younger brother, was actually his primary recruiter, despite what some sites might say. “I just wanted to be here and be with him,” Popo said. “And I was like, ‘You know what? It feels right.’” ‘You might as well come over here’ Chino didn’t even know his brother decided to join him and the Wolfpack. In fact, the younger Aguirre opened his phone in January to social media posts announcing Popo’s commitment, before he could tell family and friends. Whoops. “I told Coach Eliot, I’m gonna come. Just give me a second. Let me sign these papers. This and that,” Popo said. “It is what it is, but he saw it before I got to tell anybody.” So what was Chino’s recruiting pitch? It goes back to his own recruitment. Co-defensive coordinator Charlton Warren briefly worked at Georgia and hails from Atlanta, so he was often at Chino’s games. The freshman committed to N.C. State on June 7, 2025, during his official visit. He’d received offers from multiple schools, including Miami, but Chino loved the staff and wanted to work under Warren. He signed with the program in December before moving to Raleigh in January as an early enrollee. At that point, Popo was already two seasons into his career with the Hurricanes and two months away from his third. That didn’t stop Chino from doing what younger siblings do best — pestering. From the time he committed, Chino admitted to “bugging” his older brother. He constantly asked when Popo was going to come to N.C. State, even throughout the College Football Playoff. “He played his whole year out, and I’m like, ‘You might as well come over here,’” Chino said. The decision to enter the transfer portal was slightly impulsive — it happened with about 20 minutes left in the entry period, with news breaking just before midnight — but Popo just had a gut feeling. They knew this was likely their last opportunity to play together. “That’s when everything blew up,” Chino said. “I’m calling his phone. Mind you, it’s like 2 o’clock in the morning. He didn’t answer. I wake up the next day. … My coaches told me to call him. I’m talking to him, then Coach Eliot’s talking to him, then Coach (Isaiah) Moore started talking to him. It was crazy.” News of his decision broke on Jan. 25, roughly 24 hours after Popo entered the portal. ‘Everywhere he goes, I’ll go’ The brothers grew up in South Miami, where they lived until Popo’s final years of elementary school. He used to sneak away from the house to play football at the neighborhood park across the street. It provided respite in a full, loud house of seven kids. Popo is the third oldest. His legal name is Raúl, after their father. Chino’s given name is Markel, and he is the sixth child or second-youngest. Their nicknames come from their childhoods, and they stuck. The duo’s time together — as the oldest and youngest brothers, respectively — created a unique bond. Chino tagged along for trips to the park or at games. When Popo did something, he had to replicate it. Sometimes that meant tackling a bag, emulating footwork and body positioning, or asking someone to throw the ball with him. “I always wanted to be like him. Everywhere he goes, I’ll go,” Chino said. “It was so good because he used to let me go with him. Because some of his friends wouldn’t bring their brothers, but he sat there and let me come with him and watch. … Watching him, it really inspired me.” The family moved to Georgia, where they spent the rest of their childhoods and played high school football and received attention from college coaches around the country. Chino is the more athletic of the two, Popo said, recalling one season where he had six interceptions and one game with three blocked punts. There was something special. “He went in and was the best player on the defense,” Popo said. “I thought it was insane.” ‘The best decision I’ve ever made’ N.C. State is a brother factory, of sorts. Doeren said it’s unique and cool to have siblings on staff or on the roster, something to which he has grown accustomed. It’s a distinguished fraternity of sorts. “I’ve had five sets of brothers over the years now, six with them, it’s pretty cool,” Doeren said last month. “I can’t speak for them, but it’s got to be amazing to be in there with your brother and see each other every day like that.” Wide receiver Ashton Locklear also trains alongside his own brother, tight ends coach Gavin Locklear. And, while they’re not playing together offensive coordinator Kurt Roper coaches alongside his sibling, special teams analyst Zac Roper. Drake, Thayer and Lex Thomas are former Wolfpack players, too. “It’s the culture, man,” Ashton Locklear said. “Everyone’s brothers, to be honest. Then you have people’s little brothers that want to come here because their older brothers are telling them about the culture here, and they want to be a part of it too.” The Aguirres didn’t choose N.C. State because of the other siblings who came through the program. Though it seems fitting for a pair that possesses as much mutual love and respect that they do. (And, it’s nice that their parents don’t have to choose between games.) Chino has played primarily on special teams this season, except six snaps against Richmond, behind a veteran corps of defensive backs. His time is coming. Popo boasts 55 tackles and three fumble recoveries, leading the ACC in both categories. Some people might’ve questioned his decision to leave Miami — the Hurricanes look like a national title team again — but he has no regrets. All the badgering worked. Sitting in the N.C. State offensive line room with Chino brings out a much different side than the one people see on gameday. Popo still demands accountability and responsibility, on the field and at home, but the atmosphere is different. Popo’s face can’t hide the pride he feels toward his little brother. It’s tender. His smile stretches across his face, and there’s softness in his eyes. “It’s the best decision I’ve ever made,” he said, “being able to come over here and be with him and be able to play on this team.”
Read more at: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/article317018123.html#storylink=cpy
