More on Ezechukwu: B-Sides: Shattering Peter Pan Syndrome

Danny Ezechukwu experienced the spectrum, really, of importance and humility during his five-year Purdue career.

Redshirting tends to sends a clear message of how far one still has to go — almost always chipping a piece out of one's ego — and then a seeming quick rise to 12-game starter builds that back up. But, as a fourth-year junior, to get relegated to odd-man out? Another hit to the gut for Ezechukwu, a Georgia native who only wanted to help the Boilermakers.

So when he was moved back to a familiar slash position — defensive end/stand-up linebacker — for his senior season by new coordinator Nick Holt, Ezechukwu felt like this could be a chance for him to truly shine.

And he did, becoming a key piece in Purdue's defensive transformation with his motor, pass-rushing ability and physicality.

That was a "full circle" moment for Ezechukwu, who was voted as one of the team's captains before the season.

Ezechukwu talked about his final season, his up-and-down career, how Purdue was able to bounce back as a program under Jeff Brohm and much more when he sat down with GoldandBlack.com for an "Exit Interview" last week.