Same blood. Same jersey. Same dream. Aguirre Brothers honor Cuban heritage as Wolfpack teammates
For NC State football players Raul "Popo" Aguirre Jr. and his younger brother, Markel "Chino," playing at Carter-Finley Stadium is about more than football.
Raul "Popo" Aguirre Jr. and his younger brother Markel "Chino" Aguirre, both NC State football players, share more than just the same jersey and dream of winning college football games together. As part of the Wolfpack's 2026 defense, the brothers are experiencing an added significance through their shared Cuban heritage via their father, Raul Sr. The brothers, who both began their college careers in the same state, now share a college football field at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Popo, a senior linebacker, has already made a name for himself by recovering three fumbles and recording six tackles against Louisville on October 3rd, contributing to a 31-28 victory for the Wolfpack. Chino, a freshman safety, is excited about his first season in Raleigh, as he now has his brother by his side every step of the way.
The Aguirre brothers are known to share an apartment in Raleigh, and on most Thursdays leading up to home games, the family comes to town to prepare for the weekend's games. The brothers' shared heritage and close bond make this season especially meaningful for their family, who are all together again, sharing the same college football experience.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
