Derrick Barnes did not get to pick his jersey number as a freshman at Purdue.
When Barnes arrived on campus as a two-star linebacker from Kentucky, he was given No. 55 by his coaches.
"I wanted a lower number for some reason," said Barnes, who wore No. 21 in high school. "But he was just, Junior Seau, just bringing all these names that had 55 and that’s what I consider myself is a good linebacker so I want to carry that number."
A fourth-round pick by the Detroit Lions in this year's NFL draft, Barnes will wear No.