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No Purdue player saw their stock rise more in preparation for the NFL draft than Derrick Barnes. And today, the former Purdue linebacker was selected in the fourth round of 2021 NFL draft (113th overall) by Lions.

Barnes is the second Boilermaker picked in the draft after Rondale Moore went in the second round to Cardinals on Friday. Barnes projects by most NFL scouts to be a reserve inside linebacker/spot starter and key special teams player.

Barnes is the third Purdue linebacker picked in the NFL draft since 2018, after Markus Bailey went in the seventh round last year to the Bengals and Ja'Whaun Bentley went in the fifth round in 2018 to the Patriots.

Defensive end Cliff Avril was the last Purdue player selected by the Lions, going in the third round in 2008.

Barnes turned heads at the Senior Bowl. And he continued to shine during Purdue's pro day in March, where his numbers were described as being "good for a linebacker." Barnes' 40 was 4.57 seconds, vertical 37 inches, shuttle 4.32 seconds and bench press was 29 reps at 225 pounds.

Barnes was named second-team All-Big Ten by the coaches and third-team by the media last season. In 2020, the senior led the Boilermakers with 54 tackles and was second with 5.5 TFLs. He also had an interception. Barnes excelled playing at linebacker a year after spending 2019 at end.

The 6-1, 245-pound Covington, Ky., native started 33 games for Purdue from 2017-2020. He made 226 tackles with 10.5 sacks and 25 TFLs in 39 career games.

Barnes was just a two-star prospect coming out of high school, where he primarily was a running back.

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