Guardian of Hoop Galaxy: MSU Decommit Swanigan Runs Reverse to Purdue

Reverse responsibilities in tow, a former NFL linebacker was instrumental in perhaps the biggest news of the off-season. Purdue probably went from a borderline Top 25 team to an authentic Final Four candidate when regal recruit Caleb Swanigan decommitted from Michigan State and aligned with the Boilermakers, giving them one of the nation's most imposing frontcourts. Roosevelt Barnes, Swanigan's guardian, averaged 2.7 points and 1.1 rebounds per game as a senior in 1980-81 under coach Gene Keady, who played football for Kansas State before becoming a 19th-round choice as a back by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1958 NFL draft.

Barnes, a 6-2 guard, collected 14 points and 23 rebounds in 24 games for Purdue's 1980 Final Four team after scoring 39 points in 43 games the previous two campaigns. College teammate of longtime coach Kevin Stallings played briefly for Fort Wayne in the CBA. Barnes, who led the Boilers in tackles for loss with nine in 1981, was a 10th-round NFL draft choice before competing four years from 1982 through 1985 with the Detroit Lions.

Barnes isn't the only football player who impacted Purdue hoops. He is joined by the following alphabetical list of versatile Boilermaker basketball/football athletes:

ERICH BARNES - Defensive back intercepted 45 passes in 14 seasons (1958 through 1971) with the Chicago Bears, New York Giants and Cleveland Browns. Fourth-round draft choice played in six Pro Bowls (1960-62-63-64-65-69) and six NFL championship games. Basketball teammate of eventual "Fearsome Foursome" DE Lamar Lundy was a 6-3, 190-pound forward-center who played briefly for the Boilermakers' varsity basketball team as a sophomore in 1955-56.

CHARLES DAVIS - Starting tight end most of four years from 2002 through 2005 caught 60 passes his last two seasons, including a 61-yard TD against archrival Indiana as a junior when he was a second-team All-Big Ten Conference selection by the media. Fifth-round NFL draft choice by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2006. Upon return from 2004 Sun Bowl, the 6-6, 260-pounder averaged 2.9 ppg and 3.1 rpg in 19 basketball games for the Boilermakers in Keady's swan song.

LEN DAWSON - Member of Pro Football Hall of Fame completed 2,136 passes for 28,731 yards and 239 touchdowns in 19 seasons (1957 through 1975) with the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Texans and Kansas City Chiefs. First-round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers went on to become a seven-time All-Pro. Quarterbacked the Chiefs to victory over Minnesota in Super Bowl following 1969 season. Played in two games as a 6-0, 180-pound guard for Purdue's basketball team in the 1956-57 campaign.

BOB GRIESE - TV analyst and member of College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame. Quarterback played 14 seasons (1967 through 1980) with the Miami Dolphins, completing 1,926 of 3,429 passes for 25,093 yards and 192 touchdowns. The first-round draft choice was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and played in three Super Bowls. As a 6-1, 185-pound sophomore guard in 1964-65, he scored 22 points in 16 games in his only varsity basketball season with the Boilermakers. "I always loved basketball, but it was impossible to do justice to both sports," Griese said.

LAMAR LUNDY - Member of the "Fearsome Foursome" as a defensive end for the Los Angeles Rams in his 13-year NFL career (1957 through 1969). Fourth-round draft choice participated in the 1960 Pro Bowl. Caught 35 passes for 584 yards and six touchdowns in his first three seasons. He averaged 10.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in three varsity seasons, leading the Boilermakers in rebounding as a junior and senior. He finished 30th in the country in field-goal shooting (48.1%) in 1956-57 when he was Purdue's only All-Big Ten Conference selection (third-team). Sketch in school guide: "The most improved player in the Big Ten. The 6-6, 225-pound Lundy was more often than not the equal of or better than opposing centers reaching 6-8 or 6-9. His unusual speed and defensive ability make him a valuable asset."

ELMER OLIPHANT - One of the legendary athletes in the history of college sports. Earned nine letters (three in football and two each in basketball, baseball and track) at Purdue before graduating in 1914. Two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection set a Boilermaker single-game football record with 43 points against Rose Poly on November 17, 1912. Won 12 letters at Army (U.S. Military Academy) in football, basketball, baseball, track, boxing and hockey before graduating in 1918. Consensus All-American halfback in 1916 and 1917 played pro football for Rochester and Buffalo in 1920 and 1921. The 5-7, 175-pound Oliphant was named to the 10-man All-American basketball teams selected in 1957 by the Helms Foundation for the 1913-14 and 1914-15 seasons. Spalding's Official Basketball Guide called him "the fastest and most aggressive floor worker in the conference."