California · W 31-10
16 tackles, 2 for loss
The other 7 games average 9 tackles. This one was 7 above.
3 stories this week, from 3 outlets.
Raul Aguirre Jr.
Is steady in every phase without a signature trait. Played for two head coaches across four seasons and two programs. A game that shows it: 18 tackles against Virginia — Week 1, 2026.
77 tackles · 0 sacks
Play style
Solid in every phase without a signature dimension.
Activity vs finishing · season enumeration
What the box score actually says
77 tackles. 0 passes defended. 0 interceptions. 4 TFL.
Counts only, never a rate — splash-event sample sizes this small (interceptions, pass breakups, TFL) are noise as a rate and signal only as a tally.
Closest statistical matches, adjusted for opponent strength.
from 3 outlets
NC State's Popo Aguirre earns ACC LB of the Week for the second time this season
247Sports Nov 3 · 1 outlet
from 5 outlets
Popo Aguirre Named ACC Linebacker of the Week
247Sports +1 Oct 5 · 2 outlets
NC State University AthleticsPopo Aguirre Named to Hispanic College Football Player of the Year Watch ListAug 26247Sports247Sports +1247SportsNC State University AthleticsEach week: his team’s game, the stories about him that week, and the week’s biggest news headline.
Stories we tracked, by school.
NC State12 stories2026 to nowMost about: awards and watch lists, preview and matchup, profile and feature.
247Sports +1Popo Aguirre Named ACC Linebacker of the WeekOct 5
On3Inside how NC State LB Popo Aguirre’s leadership has flipped defense’s mentality before playing a snapAug 24NC State University AthleticsPopo Aguirre Named to Hispanic College Football Player of the Year Watch ListAug 26247SportsEverything NC State QB CJ Bailey, LB Popo Aguirre had to say following loss at VirginiaAug 29247Sports5 Stars for NC State vs App State: Duke Scott, Popo Aguirre Shine in PrimetimeSep 27
Miami3 stories2023 to 2025Most about: in his words.
Locked OnMiami Hurricanes Suffer Popo Aguirre Transfer, Retain Jordan Lyle, Running Backs dominateJan 25Locked OnHurricane warning: NC State Football snags Popo Aguirre & JoJo Trader, Boosting Portal Class!Jan 27Stories are headlines grouped by what they are about, counted through Nov 4.
Swipe the table sideways for more columns.
Last game (Wk 9): 16 tackles, 2 tackles for loss.
Game log · Week-by-week
2026 season · 8 games
Swipe the table sideways for more columns.
| Wk | Opp | TKL | SOLO | TFL | SACK | INT | PD | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 1 | L 8-34@ Virginia | 18 | 4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | Season-high 18 tackles |
| Wk 2 | W 73-0vs Richmond | 3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | |
| Wk 3 | L 31-35@ Vanderbilt | 6 | 4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | |
| Wk 4 | W 41-31vs App State | 10 | 5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | |
| Wk 5 | W 31-28vs Louisville | 6 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | |
| Wk 6 | L 14-38vs Wake Forest | 12 | 5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | |
| Wk 8 | L 28-31@ Stanford | 6 | 6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | |
| Wk 9 | W 31-10vs California | 16 | 8 | 2.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | |
| Total | 77 | 35 | 4.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 |
Oct. 31 · W 31-10 vs California, play by play
16 tackles, including 2 more for loss. He hurried the quarterback once.
Each small tick is one of his tackles on the play-by-play. His sacks are drawn as sacks.
Against his own season: his best backfield disruption game of the season so far.
His game this year: disruption in the backfield — 4 tackles for loss, in the 8 games with play by play.
How NC State’s defense played that day
California’s 13 drives: 11 stopped (1 takeaway) · 2 scored. While the game was within a score they held 8 of 9.
6 tackles. He hurried the quarterback once.
Each small tick is one of his tackles on the play-by-play. His sacks are drawn as sacks.
Hurried the quarterback. Second quarter, tied 14-14. Ended Stanford’s drive (td).
A big game: 12 tackles, including 1 more for loss. He hurried the quarterback twice.
Each small tick is one of his tackles on the play-by-play. His sacks are drawn as sacks.
6 tackles.
Each small tick is one of his tackles on the play-by-play. His sacks are drawn as sacks.
10 tackles, including 1 more for loss.
Each small tick is one of his tackles on the play-by-play. His sacks are drawn as sacks.
6 tackles. The fumble he forced ended Vanderbilt’s drive (fumble).
Each small tick is one of his tackles on the play-by-play. His sacks are drawn as sacks.
Forced a fumble. Second quarter, up 14-0. Ended Vanderbilt’s drive (fumble).
3 tackles.
Each small tick is one of his tackles on the play-by-play. His sacks are drawn as sacks.
18 tackles.
Each small tick is one of his tackles on the play-by-play. His sacks are drawn as sacks.
Ratings of the games shown run from -11 to +12 points against an average team (SP+ rating of each opponent).
Where his impact shows up on the stat sheet
Tackle volume
77tackles this seasonTFL rate
5%4 TFLSack rate
0%0 sacksPD rate
0%0 pass breakups77 tackles · 4 for loss.
Splits · Per-game
2026 season · 8 games
Home vs Road
| TKL/g | TFL/g | SACK/g | PD/g | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home5g | 9.4 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Road3g | 10.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
First half vs Second half
| TKL/g | TFL/g | SACK/g | PD/g | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-76g | 9.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Weeks 8+2g | 11.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Dave Doeren
Pass share
47.0%
258 pass / 291 run
Plays / game
68.6
8 games
Team sack rate
4.5%
288 dropbacks · PBP
Scheme: Run-leaning.
Player standing · 2026
77 tackles in 8 games, more tackles a game than nearly every FBS linebacker who plays every week.
Recognition
Production · CFB Zeitgeist Score
Former four-star. Now #227 at the position.
2026 is in progress.
A stat line in 39 games over four seasons.
Coaching lineage · 2023–2026
2 coachesPlayed for 2 head coaches at 2 schools: Mario Cristobal and Dave Doeren.
Next stop · Transfer
Transferred to NC State
