FIU Football: Back To "Ground Zero" For Reggie Peterson In 2024

MIAMI - After posting 104 total tackles in 2023, along with 3.5 sacks and one interception, senior linebacker Reggie Peterson thought that he would be an All-Conference USA selection. However, that wasn't the case. 

That snub prompted the Fort Pierce product to change his jersey number from 42 to 0.

"I take that to heart," Peterson said this week. "I keep it as a chip on my shoulder just to remind me that I didn't make any teams last year, no honorable mention. For my last season, I just want to be reminded with that zero on me."

The number 42 means a lot to Peterson, as he's always worn it each of his previous four college seasons.

"I'll always be 42. That's my family's number, they passed it down to me, but this [wearing number zero] is just for this year."

RELATED: FIU Football: QB Keyone Jenkins Making Changes In Year Two

The 21-year old Peterson comes into camp as the oldest linebacker on the team. Now entering his fifth year at Florida International, he has learned from many of the program's strong linebackers, most notably Donovan Manuel.

"I learned a lot of things from Donovan," said Peterson. "One thing he always told me was thump and run, just thump and run. Hit what you can, just run to the ball because eventually the tackle is gonna fall into your hand and just be a playmaker."

Manuel is currently preparing for the 2024 NFL Draft. Although Peterson plans to follow in Manuel's footsteps and take a mentorship role with the longer linebackers, he also has another goal: break the FIU record for most total tackles in a single season with 124 tackles. In 2023, Manuel was three tackles short of breaking the record with 121.

The Panthers will continue spring practices on Thursday. FIU's "Spring Showcase" is scheduled for April 13.