May 12, 2008

DALLAS - Northern Illinois defensive end Larry English was named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List for the second consecutive year, the Football Writers Association of American announced Monday.

English (Aurora, Ill./Marmion Academy) is one of 88 players on the 2008 preseason list for the award, given to the nation's top defensive player since 1993. In 2007, English led the Mid-American Conference and ranked 11th nationally with 10.5 sacks. He also led the Huskies with 17 tackles-for-loss, made 67 tackles, had two pass break-ups, one forced and one recovered fumble.

For his effort, English became only the second defensive player to ever win the MAC's Vern Smith Leadership Award, voted on by coaches and given to the league's most valuable player.

The highlight of his 2007 season came against Idaho when he tied his own school record with five sacks and a career-high 12 tackles while also recovering his own forced fumble for a touchdown. Following that performance, he was named the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week.

The 6-3, 254-pound senior was selected to the Nagurski Award Watch List as developed by the FWAA All-America Committee with the help of schools and conferences. The committee selects the recipient from the association's 11-man All-America defensive team in November. A Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week will also be announced weekly by the FWAA beginning with games on Aug. 30 through mid-November.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is awarded in memory of the legendary Nagurski, a former All-America lineman at Minnesota in 1927-29 and a star for professional football's Chicago Bears in the 1930s.