WATCH: LB Caden Fordham Always Dreamt of Wearing #1 for NC State

NC State awarded Redshirt Senior Linebacker Caden Fordham with the #1 jersey yesterday. Fordham met with the media after Fall practice, breaking down what the #1 jersey means to him, and the journey that led him to be the Wolfpack player wearing it in 2025.

You can watch the video above, and read the transcript below.

So, you got the #1 jersey, what does that mean to you?

Yeah, I mean it means a lot. Guys before me have worn it like Zay (Isaiah) Moore and I’ve seen the way he came out and competed every day. The way he carried himself, what this number means to this university, and our team.

So, it’s such a blessing and thankful to all my teammates and Coach Doeren for giving me the opportunity to wear it, and I’m going to do everything in my power to uphold the standard to what this number means.

In your estimation, what goes into getting that number? 

It’s just showing up every day, being consistent, being the same guy, giving everything you have, every snap, making sure you lead at all times, whether it’s in the Murph (Murphy Center) or away.

Just coming in and having that mentality of knowing you’re that guy on the team and you’re always going to lead no matter what. So, I think that’s what really goes into getting the number one.

How did you find out?

Actually, this morning we had a team meeting and Coach Doeren announced it.

Is that something he asked you beforehand?

Yeah, we had talked about it a lot before, but he kind of just told me, you know, we only give it to people that work their ass off. So, he told me that earlier this summer. So, I had always wanted this number when I first came to NC State, because I saw Zay wearing it, like I said.

So, it was always a goal of mine to get this number and I’m very happy that I’ve earned it now.

Part of that leadership has been off the field too, the charitable things that you’ve done off the field. What has that meant to you, to run Caden’s Closet and things like that off the field?

It’s huge. Giving back to the community, especially, when God’s given me so much.

I feel like it’s my duty to give back since I’ve been blessed so much. So, it’s awesome just to see those kids, and being able to help them, you know, because sometimes they’re not as fortunate, but they want to be able to play sports just like us. So, it’s awesome just to be able to give back, and it makes me happy.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned from Isaiah or Davin (Vann) wearing that number?

The biggest thing I’ve learned, especially on this defense, is you’ve got to play your tail off, no matter what. Nobody cares if you’re hurting, tired, or what. You’ve got to come in every day and be that guy, the same guy that everyone looks up to.

So, that’s the biggest thing, carrying yourself the same way every day, no matter what, and leading this team.

What does it say about the defense that there have been so many defensive guys to have the #1?

I think it just speaks to how we like to carry ourselves as a Wolfpack defense. We like to have that mentality of nobody can beat us.

We like to go out there and play physical football every week, and we look to continue to do that. I think it’s just the mentality of knowing that we’re going to come out there, and we don’t care who you are, we’re just going to come out there and play ball and play physical.

Caden, when you think about your journey as a leader, what was kind of that moment for you where the light bulb kind of switched on?

Honestly, probably the 2023 year when I first really got to step on the field and start really getting reps in the games. You know, P. Wiz (Payton Wilson) was still here with me, so I kind of got to learn a lot from him.

He kind of helped me along the way as that younger leader, kind of showing me the ways of how to do things and stuff. Then the following year, 2024, I saw myself as a leader too on the defense. Unfortunately, I got hurt, but early in that year, I just kind of felt that role coming along.

Then when Davin was gone, we had to step up and take control now, because, it’s next man up mentality at this point. I would say the 2023 year was a big year.

Are you going to wear the earpiece again this year?

We haven’t even discussed all that yet, so it’s going to be something I have to talk to Doeren about.

We’re nine days away from the season opener. Do you like where y’all are at?

I love where we’re at, but we’re focused on today. We’re not looking ahead. You know, how good can we be today? So that’s our main focus every day. We go out to practice, and say ‘how good can we be today?’

Do you think leaders make leaders, like Isaiah, you mentioned?

I definitely do. Especially guys that kind of take you under their wing, because I feel like they’ll gravitate towards the younger leaders that they see care, and really give effort into what NC State is trying to do. So yeah, I would say leaders make leaders.

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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.