NC State Awards Senior LB Caden Fordham the #1 Jersey

NC State football players don’t choose to wear the #1 jersey. It’s a number that is given to players.

Ever since 2014, Wolfpack Head Coach Dave Doeren has awarded the #1 to an individual player on an annual basis.

As Doeren has stated previously, the #1 jersey is awarded to a player that “exhibits an elite work ethic and practice and training habits, while also leading his teammates. This player doesn’t just uphold the standards. He pushes them higher.”

Today it was announced that Redshirt Senior Linebacker Caden Fordham will be wearing the #1 jersey in 2025 for the Wolfpack.

“Caden is the alpha wolf of our football team,” said Doeren. “He learned under some of the best linebackers in school history – Payton Wilson, Drake Thomas, and Isaiah Moore – and is carrying that tradition forward. I look forward to watching him lead on and off the field this season.”

NC State also announced this morning that Fordham will serve as 1 of their 4 captains this season.

Prior to suffering a season ending injury last Fall, Fordham was leading the ACC in tackles. In 6 games, Fordham tallied 48 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 2 pass breakups in his first year as a starter.

Former Defensive End Davin Vann wore the #1 for the Wolfpack the past two seasons. Now it’s Fordham’s turn.

Here’s a look at the players NC State has awarded the #1 jersey since 2014.

2014 Jarvis Byrd, CB
2015 Hakim Jones, SAF
2016 Jaylen Samuels, TE
2017 Jaylen Samuels, TE/H
2018 Stephen Louis, WR
2019 James Smith-Williams, DE
2020 Isaiah Moore, LB
2021 Isaiah Moore, LB
2022 Isaiah Moore, LB
2023 Davin Vann, DE
2024 Davin Vann, DE
2025 Caden Fordham, LB