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Did you know that the No. 18 is a special number in LSU football history?
Each year, the Tigers hold a vote to decide who should wear the sacred number in LSU lore – a uniform that stands for leadership, skill and the ability to overcome adversity.
The previous No. 18’s all have input in deciding who the next season’s jersey bearer should be.
That is because when the tradition started, the former No. 18 would hand-pick his successor and give the number to a returning teammate.
But that process has since evolved and a team vote takes place.
History shows that LSU’s players know how to pick a winner.
The No. 18 has produced some of the best stories in LSU history – players like halfback Jacob Hester, quarterback Matt Mauck, tight end Richard Dickson and halfback Richard Murphy.
This year’s chosen one to carry the number is fifth-year senior linebacker Lamin Barrow.
Honored to be chosen by his peers to be in LSU’s history books, Barrow said he wants make the 2013 season the biggest of his career.
“It just means everything in the world to me because of what it represents to my teammates and the guys who wore it before me,” Barrow said at LSU’s Preseason Media Day event. “All of the coaches and staff hold me to a responsible leadership role, and that is a compliment to me. I am very honored.”
From day one at LSU, Barrow has been in the mix in Baton Rouge.
The Marrero native graduated from John Ehret High School where he recorded 71 tackles in his senior season.
For his efforts, Barrow was ranked as Rivals.com’s No. 7 player in Louisiana for the 2009 recruiting class.
He redshirted his first season in 2009, but then started for the Tigers in his first-ever collegiate game – a season-opening tilt with North Carolina in 2010.
In that game, Barrow recovered a fumble that led to points for the Tigers in a close victory.
After playing mostly special teams in 2010 and 2011, Barrow got his big break last season and was a full-time starter for LSU at the Will linebacker position.
Barrow shined, posting 13 starts with 104 total tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss, 5 quarterback hurries and 5 pass breakups.
The linebacker also recovered two fumbles on the season.
His tackle total was second on the team behind only 2013 NFL Draft Pick Kevin Minter.
“Had we not had Kevin Minter last year, everyone would have been talking about Lamin and how well he played,” LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis said. “Because in my opinion, he had an outstanding year for us. Look at the number of plays that he was in on and it’s pretty high.”
But Barrow worked his way into No. 18 because of an intangible – leadership.
The Tigers’ players said they elected the senior because of the effort and intensity that he brings in every practice.
Quarterback Zach Mettenberger said that the Tigers appreciate how hard Barrow works every day. Also a nominee for No. 18, Mettenberger said he believes the team made the right choice with its prestigious number.
“He is a great team leader,” Mettenberger said. “He is kind of a soft-spoken guy. He is definitely a guy who does not talk a lot, but he shows so much leadership. They could not have picked a better guy to give that number to.”
LSU coach Les Miles agrees. He added that he fully supports the team’s choice.
“He’s hard working. He’s big, strong, physical, and yet he’s a quiet leader,” Miles said. “He’s a guy who leads by example and really when he talks, everybody listens. He’s had a very, very quality opinion on everything that we’ve done here really since I’ve been here. He’s been a leader that was many times not overtly vocal, but kind of in the back of the scenes saying ‘This is what’s right.’
“I think he’s really earned the spot. 18 is a chemistry. It’s a program guy that’s kind of developed and kind of reflects on how he treats other people. … I just think it was a great pick.”
So with the honor now behind him, Barrow said he plans to pay it forward.
The Tigers’ linebacker said he plans to turn his senior season into the best year of his career.
“Over the years, I’ve been the guy who was a role player,” Barrow said. “Last year, I had a pretty good season. This season, I want to make more of those big plays, and I am taking it upon myself to become a better player.”
Where it started?
This idea is not unique to LSU. The Tigers have borrowed the idea from Penn State and other universities across the country who have dedicated uniforms to certain players.
At Penn State, a linebacker is almost always given No. 11. Similar traditions exist around the college footall world.
Other LSU uniform factoids
Did you know that No. 30 is always given to an LSU kicker or punter?
The Tigers have designated that number in recent years to its stable of special teams specialists.
This year is no different, as kickers James Hairston and Alex Kjellsten will wear the uniform.
In case you are wondering, having more than one player with a jersey number is OK per NCAA rules.
The NCAA allows two players to wear the same jersey as long as they are never on the field at the same time in a game.
“I just think three-zero is a quality number,” Miles said with a laugh last year when asked kickers.
In addition to the quirky No. 30, two numbers are off-limits to LSU football players.
LSU will never have another No. 20 or another No. 37 in program history after retiring those jerseys for great former players.
The No. 20 was worn by LSU’s only Heisman Trophy winner Billy Cannon.
No. 37 was retired because of Tigers’ great defensive back Tommy Casanova.
LSU senior linebacker Lamin Barrow (left) chases a ball carrier during the Tigers’ annual spring football game. Barrow was voted by his teammates to wear the No. 18 in the upcoming season – an honor given to an LSU player with leadership skills.
