English (6-2, 255) is a fourth-year linebacker with the Chargers. He was the 16th overall pick in the first round of the 2009 draft.
For outside linebacker and former first-round draft pick Larry English, expectations have given way to injuries. A promising start to English’s career in 2009 has been slowed by injury-plagued seasons in 2010 and ’11. English was on the verge of posting big numbers in 2011 when he was shelved for the second-consecutive season by a broken foot.
English will have a fresh start in 2012 and is looking forward to recapturing his rookie form under new defensive coordinator John Pagano.
As a collegian, English was a two-time winner of the Vern Smith Leadership Award as the top player in the Mid-American Conference. He became only the second defensive player in MAC history to win the award once and more impressively, he became only the fourth player ever to win it twice. English left Northern Illinois as the school’s all-time leader in sacks (31.5) and tackles for loss (63). An honor roll student, he was also one of only 30 students nationwide to be nominated to receive the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award for excellence in Classroom, Character, Community and Competition. English has battled asthma since early childhood. As an adult, it has steered him toward a partnership with the American Lung Association and his LEAD (Leading Education to Athletes for their Dreams) Foundation, which he created with the help of his mother, Susan. English has hosted a number of events and programs, including a benefit concert and all-star gala in San Diego, and a football camp and one-on-one reading and mentorship program in his hometown of Aurora, Ill. English also helped create a program called Open Airways that helps schools diagnose asthma in students. English’s uncle, Charles Richardson, lettered as fullback at Wisconsin in 1972.
A solid rookie season that concluded with a big effort in the 2009 season finale had Larry English and fans looking forward to big things in 2010.
English played in all 16 games as a rookie. He was on the field regularly on both defense and special teams, and he tied Shaun Phillips for the team lead with 16 hits on the opposing quarterback.
Unfortunately, second-year expectations were curtailed when a foot injury shelved English early in his second season. The injury initially kept him out of the lineup for six games, but flareups later in the season further limited his play and English played in only half of the team’s 16 games. Now that 2011 is here, English is looking forward to the opportunity to flash the explosiveness that led the Chargers to make him a first-round pick in 2009.
At Northern Illinois, English was a two-time winner of the Vern Smith Leadership Award as the top player in the Mid-American Conference. He became only the second defensive player in MAC history to win the award once and more impressively, he became only the fourth player ever to win it twice.
English left Northern Illinois as the school’s all-time leader in sacks (31.5) and tackles for loss (63). An honor roll student, he was also one of only 30 students nationwide to be nominated to receive the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award for excellence in Classroom, Character, Community and Competition.
English’s excellence on the field is impressive for a young man who’s battled asthma since early childhood. The affliction has steered him toward a partnership with the American Lung Association and his LEAD (Leading Education to Athletes for their Dreams) Foundation, which he created with the help of his mother, Susan. The two entities hosted an event in San Diego called the Fight For Air Climb, and they’ve created a program called Open Airways for School to help diagnose asthma in students.
TRANSACTION HISTORY: First-round pick (16), April 25, 2009...signed five-year deal, Aug. 2.
2011: Had a career-high two sacks against Miami in Week 4
2010: Career-high 1.5 sacks and two tackles for loss in 31-0
win over Kansas City Dec. 12.
2009: First-career sacks in back-to-back games vs. PIT and DEN, Oct. 4 and 19...Game Ball from coaching staff after season-highs of seven TTs and six QB hits vs. WAS Jan. 3.
COLLEGE: MAC Player of Week vs. Tennessee and Kent State as senior...conference and team-leading 10.5 sacks as junior to rank 11th in nation...included school-record five sacks vs. Idaho...tied school record with 12 sacks and set school mark with four forced fumbles as sophomore...also set campus record with six tackles for loss in ’06 game vs. Temple...played in 50 games with 47 starts at defensive end...finished career with 237 TT, 63 TFL, 31.5 sacks, eight FF and four FR...medical redshirt in 2004...played at Northern Illinois from 2004-08...honor roll student majored in liberal arts and sciences.
PERSONAL: Born in Aurora, Illinois...highly decorated linebacker and fullback at Marmion Military Academy in Aurora...also lettered in basketball and track (discus).
