Episode 40 - Raul "Popo" Aguirre

In this episode of Storm Sessions presented by OmegaXL Sport, we’re joined by Miami linebacker Raul “Popo” Aguirre Jr. Born in Miami and raised in Georgia, Popo talks about his early days playing baseball before shifting to football, where the speed and contact of the game drew him in. He started on offense before settling in at linebacker. Popo shares what led him to The U, including a full-circle connection, his father once played for Coach Mirabal. He gives his thoughts on the team’s defensive changes this season and how things are coming together. We close out the episode with fan-submitted questions.

In this episode of Storm Sessions presented by OmegaXL Sport, we’re joined by Miami defensive back Jakobe Thomas. Jakobe shares his story of growing up in Tennessee, after his parents made the decision to relocate the family to give him a better shot at chasing his football dreams. He talks about the close bond he shares with his parents and how their support has shaped him both on and off the field.Jakobe reflects on his football journey, from playing offense throughout his early years to making the transition to defense in college. He takes us through his time at Middle Tennessee, his transfer to Tennessee, and what ultimately led him to The U. He speaks on what it means to be part of the Miami brotherhood and the respect he has for those who came before him.

In this episode of Storm Sessions presented by OmegaXL Sport, we’re joined by Miami defensive back Xavier Lucas. A South Florida native, Xavier shares how he first got into football, starting out as a running back before eventually finding his home on the defensive side of the ball. He walks us through his transition from safety to corner and what it’s been like playing alongside former high school teammates like OJ Frederique and Malachi Toney at The U.

In this episode of Storm Sessions presented by OmegaXL Sport, we’re joined by Miami wide receiver Tony Johnson. Tony reflects on the journey from being a walk-on at FAU to suiting up every Saturday for the Hurricanes. He talks about the impact his mother had on his journey and the importance of excelling in the classroom, in addition to competing on the football field. We wrap up the episode with a round of fan-submitted questions.

In this episode of Storm Sessions presented by OmegaXL Sport, we’re joined by Miami offensive lineman Samson Okunlola. Samson reflects on growing up with four brothers and how his family shaped his journey. He talks about competing in both football and wrestling in high school and how the latter helped him get faster and stronger on the gridiron. Samson also give insight into the bond of the offensive line this season and what his goals are for the future, both on and off the field. We wrap up the episode with a round of fan-submitted questions.

In this episode of Storm Sessions presented by OmegaXL Sport, we’re joined by Miami wide receiver Keelan Marion. Keelan reflects on growing up in Georgia with his brothers and takes us through his recruiting journey out of high school. He talks about the culture shock of starting his college career at UConn, how that experience shaped him, and the path that eventually took him to BYU before finding a home at The U. Keelan shares what it’s been like stepping into a talented and tightly connected receiver room, the daily competitiveness that drives the group, and his growing chemistry with quarterback Carson Beck. He also gives insight into his mindset during his memorable catch in the USF game and how he feels the season is progressing so far. We wrap up the episode with a round of fan-submitted questions.

In this episode of Storm Sessions presented by OmegaXL Sport, we’re joined by linebacker Mohamed Toure, known to his teammates as Mo. A New Jersey native, Mo talks about growing up in a tight-knit family and how football became both an outlet and a way to stay on the right path. He reflects on his high school success and what drew him to the defensive side of the ball, where he thrives on the intensity and physicality of the game. Mo opens up about his college journey at Rutgers and the difficult road back after tearing his ACL twice. He shares how those setbacks tested him and shaped his mentality, and how the fight to return made him stronger. He also talks about what brought him to The U, and how the Miami program welcomed him like family from the moment he stepped on campus. Beyond football, Mo shares what fatherhood has meant to him and how his son has changed his outlook on life. We wrap up the episode with a round of fan-submitted questions.

In this episode of Storm Sessions presented by OmegaXL Sport, we’re joined by new Hurricanes running back CharMar “Marty” Brown. We kick things off with his debut performance in Miami’s win over Notre Dame, and what it felt like to take the field as a Hurricane for the first time. Marty then takes us back to his roots in the Midwest, where he grew up playing multiple sports—including wrestling—and developed a competitive edge alongside his twin brother. He shares how the work ethic instilled in him by his mom and grandfather pushed him through being under-recruited out of high school, often driving six hours or more just to attend camps and get noticed. He reflects on his time at North Dakota State, where he won the Jerry Rice Award and helped capture an FCS national championship, and what ultimately led him to enter the portal and choose The U. We wrap up with a round of fan-submitted questions to close out the conversation.

In this episode of Storm Sessions presented by OmegaXL Sport, we’re joined by quarterback Carson Beck as he enters a new chapter of his career at The U. Carson reflects on growing up immersed in sports, originally focused on baseball before realizing he preferred the intensity and energy of football. He even shares his first word—and yes, it’s sports-related. Carson opens up about his love for music, a passion passed down from his grandmother, and how playing the piano helps him unwind off the field. He talks candidly about his experience in the SEC, including the mental and physical battle of recovering from the injury he suffered during the SEC Championship game. He explains what led him to choose Miami to finish his collegiate career, the relationships he's building with coaches and teammates, and how excited he is for what’s ahead. We close out the episode with a rapid-fire round of fan-submitted questions.

In this episode of Storm Sessions, Miami defensive lineman Armando Blount joins us to share his unique path to The U. Growing up in South Florida, Armando got into football "because all the kids in school played football" —but quickly found himself drawn to the physicality of the game. He talks about how that aggression on the field contrasts with his academic drive, carrying a 4.5 GPA, graduating early, and earning valedictorian honors. He reflects on why he chose Miami, what it was like playing his first season at just 17, and his curiosity-driven approach to learning that keeps him diving into new subjects off the field. Armando touches on life after football and what might come next. We finish the episode with fan-submitted questions.