FIU linebacker switches jersey to No. 0 while leaning in to leadership, plus notes

Linebacker Reggie Peterson, perhaps FIU’s most gregarious football player, likes to joke around with Panthers quarterback Keyone “Lights Out” Jenkins.

“Reggie is a funny dude, and I know he wants an interception,” Jenkins said of Peterson’s approach to spring football. “He says, ‘Lights’, I need one.’

“I tell him, ‘I can’t give it to you, Reggie. You have to earn it.’”

Peterson is certainly not shy about earning things. After sitting out 2020 as a true freshman out of Fort Pierce, Peterson has played in all 36 of FIU’s games over the past three years.

Last year, in his first season as a starter, Peterson finished second on the team in tackles (104), solo stops (53), assists (51) and sacks (3½). He also finished third in tackles for losses (7½).

Peterson also grabbed one interception, returning it 61 yards.

This spring, Peterson has a new look, switching from No. 42 to No. 0.

Peterson said he chose the number zero because that’s how he felt when Conference USA came out with its all-league teams.

“I keep that as a chip on my shoulder,” Peterson said. “It’s to remind me that I didn’t make any ‘teams’ last year – no honorable mentions (even).

“For my last season, I just want to be reminded that zero – I made nothing. … I will always be 42. That’s my family’s number – they passed it down to me. (Zero) is just for this year.”

At 22, Peterson is one of the oldest players and biggest leaders on the team. His individual goal this season is to break FIU’s single-season record for tackles, which is 132, set by Sage Lewis in 2018.

To get there, Peterson would need 29 more tackles than last season.

“When I step on that green grass,” Peterson said, “it’s strictly business.”

NEWS AND NOTES

▪ Antonio Patterson, who played offense and defense as a prep player in Tennessee, has switched from running back to safety.

Coach Mike MacIntyre said the switch was Patterson’s idea, and it was motivated by the return of running back Lexington Joseph, who missed all of last season.

“Antonio has excellent hands,” MacIntyre said of Patterson, who had an interception last week during his first practice on defense. “He looks fluid backpedaling and breaking on the ball.”

▪ Redshirt freshman Dylan Redmon, who played quarterback and wide receiver in high school, has switched from receiver to tight end after gaining 20 pounds.

▪ Cornerbacks coach Demarcus Van Dyke, who bolted for the USF Bulls in January, has been replaced in a roundabout way.

FIU has hired Kenechi Udeze as outside linebackers coach. Anthony Gaitor, who coached outside linebackers last year, has switched to coaching cornerback, the position he played at FIU.

▪ The Panthers women’s basketball team (20-11) will host Stetson (17-14) in a first-round WNIT game on Thursday at 7 p.m. This is FIU’s first WNIT appearance in 11 years.

FIU’s squad features Conference USA’s Coach of the Year Jesyka Burks-Wiley and the league’s Sixth Player of the Year Mya Kone. In addition, Tanajah Hayes was named to the All-Defense team. Kaliah Henderson and Hayes made second-team All-C-USA.