CHARLOTTESVILLE -- As if there weren't enough similarities already between Andrew Pearman and his older brother, now Andrew will be wearing Alvin's old number.

"I came up here to report after summer school in Charlotte, N.C., and at my locker was [No.] 21," said Andrew Pearman, who transferred to Virginia after one season at Hawaii. "I thought it was awesome. I actually had talked to my brother about it beforehand."

Alvin Pearman, who has completed one season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, wore No. 21 during a UVa career that culminated in his selection as a first-team All-ACC running back in 2004.

"I asked him, 'What would you think about me wearing No. 21?' " Andrew said. "I told him, 'I think it would be pretty cool, keeping it in the family.' If people compare me to him, I think that's a good thing."

There was one problem with the number. While Pearman was sitting out the 2005 season as a transfer, the Cavaliers found themselves in need of a number for Byron Glaspy, a walk-on defensive back who became a starter late in the season. He became No. 21.

"At the end of the season, he was saying that he was going to change numbers," Pearman said. "He said, 'Aw, you've got No. 21.' I was like, 'Thanks, man, thanks.' He's [No.] 22 now."

Pearman had thought about requesting the number, but hadn't found a good opportunity.

"I was like, 'Hope, Coach [Al] Groh hooks me up; I hope he's thinking the same thing,' " Pearman said. "I didn't know what his mind-set was, but we ended up on the same page."

There was a history with No. 21 before Alvin Pearman arrived on the scene.

"I knew that," said the younger Pearman, a regular at UVa games when his brother was playing. "Of course. That was Tiki Barber's old number."

Barber, also a running back, enjoyed a stellar career at Virginia and has gone on to stardom in the NFL as the New York Giants' all-time rushing leader.

"I'm going to be doing different things," said Pearman, who is playing wide receiver and will return punts. "But, great players have had it and I want to keep up the tradition.

Andrew Pearman (5-foot-10, 175 pounds) originally committed to Virginia in the summer of 2004, but he had a change of heart after then-UVa running backs coach Kevin Ross left to join his father's staff at Army. Pearman then signed with Hawaii, where he redshirted in 2004. That decision had nothing to do with sibling rivalry.

"I've really learned a lot from him," Andrew said. "I ask for advice all the time -- how to set up, where to put your hands, how to get to the ball. When it comes to returns, he's the man as far as I'm concerned."

In Jacksonville, Terry Cousin, a 10-year cornerback from South Carolina, wears No. 21. Alvin Pearman is No. 34 for the Jaguars.

"It's funny," his younger brother said. "We never had a No. 21 anywhere else. Al wore No. 2 in high school and No. 24 in middle school. I don't know what number my father had at Colgate. He was a receiver, so it was probably in the 80s. I kind of followed in my brother's footsteps. I was No. 24 in middle school and kept it in high school."

At Hawaii, he was No. 23 for the Rainbows, who certainly offered better weather than the Cavaliers experienced during last Saturday's cold and rainy practice.

"I love the weather here," he said. "Growing up in Charlotte, where you have all the seasons, I personally think it gives you something to look forward to."

Another tradition

Virginia once made a living off walk-on wide receivers such as Patrick Jeffers, Tim Finkelston and Keith Mattioli. And there are high hopes this year for Staton Jobe, a 6-foot, 175-pound wideout from Westlake High School in Austin, Texas.

Jobe is a three-time district champion in the 100 meters, with a best time of 10.35 seconds, and has a listed time of 4.39 seconds for 40 yards. After catching a total of 16 passes in the previous two seasons, he had 44 receptions for 1,003 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior.

"Virginia is getting a playmaker," Westlake coach Derek Long said.

Jobe won't be the only Virginia freshman from Westlake. UVa has had scholarship volleyball signees from Westlake in each of the past two seasons, including Jobe's classmate, Lauren Dickson, one of the nation's top 50 volleyball prospects.