Aguirre brothers play together for NC State football

Brothers Raul ‘Popo’ Aguirre Jr. and Markel ‘Chino’ Aguirre are playing together on the NC State football team during the 2026 season. Popo, a senior linebacker who transferred from Miami, and Chino, a freshman safety, both serve as key members of the Wolfpack defense.

The brothers share Cuban heritage through their father, Raul Aguirre Sr. Playing at the same university allows their parents to support both athletes at a single campus. The siblings live together in an apartment in Raleigh.

In a recent game against Louisville on October 3, Popo contributed significantly to a 31-28 victory by recording six tackles and recovering three fumbles.