NC State LB Caden Fordham dreamed of earning the No. 1 jersey. Now it’s his, and he understands the responsibility

Caden Fordham arrived at NC State as a wide-eyed freshman with plenty of energy. He was eager to learn, and within the Wolfpack’s star-studded linebacker room, there was plenty of opportunity.  In a way, Fordham had his choice of role models to look up to. As a freshman, he had the likes of Drake Thomas, Isaiah Moore, Vi Jones and Payton Wilson ahead of him — all of which have since made NFL rosters. But there was just something about Moore, who donned the prestigious No. 1 jersey, that made Fordham strive to be just like him.  That single-digit is only awarded to a player that Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren believes fits the standard of “elite work ethic in practice and training habits, while also leading his teammates.” Moore became the poster child of the jersey, wearing it for three straight seasons to become the longest-tenured player to don it.  Fordham set a goal from that year forward: he wanted to wear the No. 1 by the time he left NC State.