As the Wolfpack men’s soccer season hits full swing, redshirt sophomore forward Ade Taiwo is eager to improve and further establish his presence.

While Taiwo currently serves as a key member of the Wolfpack men’s soccer team, his soccer journey began many years ago and contains deep family roots.

“My father comes from a huge background of soccer,” the Raleigh native said. “Watching him and his friends play inspired me to play.”

As a high schooler at local soccer powerhouse Cardinal Gibbons, Taiwo enjoyed many fruitful years full of success. His long list of accolades include being named 2012 North Carolina Gatorade Soccer Player of the Year, 2012 North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association State Player of the Year, individual All-American honors and two team State Championship titles.

At the club level, Taiwo was a member of the U17 United States National Team Residency Program. Additionally, he played for the NC Alliance; a team managed by former NC State player Henry Gutierrez.

Early exposure to the Wolfpack community, played a major role in Taiwo’s decision to attend NC State.

“My parents went to NC State,” Taiwo said. “All of my club coaches growing up went to NC State. [It’s right down the road] … and my passion that I developed for [NC State] inspired me to come here.”

Taiwo’s Wolfpack family has only continued to grow. He values the many close relationships he’s formed since joining the soccer program.

“The friends and brothers I’ve grown to know and come across the three years that I’ve been here are friendships and brotherhoods that will last for a lifetime,” Taiwo said. “I think that’s my favorite aspect of being on the team.”

For Taiwo, the position of playing forward came instinctively, as he has always had a nose for the goal.

“I’m not sure what drew me there,” Taiwo said. “Playing forward was just something that I was good at … Playing in the house, I would always kick a ball into the chimney and it just kept going.”

As a forward, Taiwo utilizes his goal seeking prowess to create scoring opportunities. If the 6-foot-2 forward isn’t using his speed and athleticism to engineer his own shot, he is utilizing his abundance of experience and knowledge to carve out goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates.

This combination of strength and awareness makes Taiwo a huge asset to the Wolfpack soccer attack and a danger for opposing teams

When it comes to inspiration, the player who most inspires Taiwo is former Arsenal Gunner Thierry Henry.

“Just looking at [Thierry Henry] and the way his emotion flowed through Arsenal’s team, it was obvious he was their heart and soul,” Taiwo said. “I think that’s a player I aspire to be like. [I admire] his leadership, passion and physical qualities too.”

After a cautious season last year with emphasis on regaining strength following the second ACL injury of his career, Taiwo is eager to lead the team and improve his individual performance.

“I’ve been out of the game for a really long time,” Taiwo said. “[I want] to get back on the radar, [become] comfortable again on the ball, [grow] more confident and lead the team.”

Despite State’s current 2-5 record, Taiwo is confident in the Wolfpack’s ability to turn its season around. 

“We had a rough start so far, but it’s not like teams are outplaying us,” Taiwo said. “We’re just not finding the results right now. Hopefully, we just stick together and [improve] throughout the rest of the season.”

With a combination of experience, dedication and athleticism, Taiwo is poised to lead Wolfpack men’s soccer.