Each time Kirk Barron walks off the field following a series in Ross-Ade Stadium, he scans Section 126, 30 rows up from the field looking for his father, Kirk Sr. It's a ritual that began for father and son when Kirk Jr. was a star at Marian High School in Mishawaka, Indiana.
"In high school, I would look up at my dad in the stands and nod, which was my way of asking if I did OK," Barron says. "He would give me a thumbs up or thumbs down. I am always looking for confirmation from my dad."
More times than not, Barron's father gives his son a thumbs up.
"We use hand signals," Kirk Sr. says. "I may try to tell him to be more physical, move your feet, get your hands under your man's pads."
Perhaps two thumbs up from Kirk Sr. would be apt now. His son has grown into one of the top centers in the Big Ten Conference and is the anchor of a physical Boilermaker offensive line that paves the way for a strong rushing attack. Kirk Jr. is a dynamic combination of size, quickness and sneaky athletic ability. But there was a time when Barron's parents had concerns about their son's well-being.
"When he was about 2 years old, the doctor told us to keep him active in the winter so he wouldn't gain weight," says Susan Barron, Kirk's mom. "He was always a big kid. He weighed 35 pounds when he was 1. So, we bought Kirk some ice skates, and he really took to it and became a great skater and hockey player."
While Kirk was good at hockey, and other sports, football became his love as he matriculated through high school and became a star. But the only colleges that were noticing him were non-Power Five institutions.
"I was one of those kids who bounced around at camps trying to get noticed when I was in high school," Barron says. "I ran well, I moved well. I came to a Purdue camp because my buddy was coming here. Things went well the first day. Then they asked me to come back the following week, and I posted my same testing numbers."
Then, Barron, who had been committed to Ohio University, got a scholarship offer from the Boilermakers. How did Barron celebrate?
"We just had a sweaty car ride back home," he says.
The 6-foot-2, 300-pound fifth-year senior has come a long way since then, emotionally and physically."I understand that this is more of a business now," says Barron, who has earned his bachelor's degree in organizational leadership. "I am starting to understand that everything is a business decision, and everything I am doing can help get me to the next level. Now, I am able to look at every decision I make off the field as a decision for the Kirk Barron brand."
When he first arrived in West Lafayette, Barron didn't take his lifestyle habits into consideration.
"I liked to eat at the Cary (Quad) Knight Spot," Barron says. "The food tastes good, but it's not great for you."
Barron weighed 310 when he got to Purdue because he thought he needed to be gigantic. Turns out, the staff wanted an athletic Barron – not a massive Barron, who ballooned to 316 pounds as a redshirt freshman.
"I have been able to transfer that weight," Barron says proudly, patting his kinda flat belly. "My muscle mass has gone up, my body fat has gone way down. Now, I am more aware of what I eat. Fruits and vegetables with a carbohydrate and a protein ... chicken breasts, rice, broccoli and watermelon. That was a typical summer meal for me when I was getting ready for the season."
Now, Barron looks to cap his Purdue career with a bang and with an eye cast toward the future.
"I have been able to grow leadership-wise, knowing what to say, and I always have done the right thing off the field when it came to my work ethic," Barron says. "Now, I am a two-time captain, and I know what to say to guys and see how people react to certain words."
Barron's friendship with former Purdue offensive guards Jordan Roos and Jason King also has been a benefit, as Barron has eyes on playing professionally one day.
"We text quite a bit," Barron says. "They are two of my best friends. They give me a lot of advice about the next level, which I appreciate. They tell me to get as many guard reps as I can and to develop myself as more than just a center. They have given me a heads up as to what to expect at the next level."
But for now, it is Barron's dad providing the analysis from his seat on Saturday's at Ross-Ade.
"Honestly, he doesn't need much help anymore," Kirk Sr. says. "He's a good kid who has worked very hard to get to this point."