Larry English is not only getting a change of scenery next football season, but will also be making a position change from defensive end to outside linebacker for the San Diego Chargers.

“I’ve obviously been comfortable at defensive end the past five years in the scheme that I played in college, but the more I learned about the 3-4 scheme, I think my athletic ability, just the type of football player that I am, I think that it’s extremely conducive to this scheme,” English said. “I think I’ll fit perfectly in it.”

While the position will be changing, one thing will remain constant — the Chargers want English to rush the passer first and foremost, along with the duties of dropping back into coverage and running down halfbacks. English recorded 31.5 career sacks at NIU but said he is ready to adjust to the change.

“He was a dominant player in the Mid American Conference,” said Jimmy Raye, Director of Player Personnel for the Chargers. “In terms of rush ability, we felt he was an upgrade over some of the other players we looked at in the draft.”

Another adjustment for English, as with all rookies entering the NFL, will be the speed of the game. English pointed out that he had to adjust going from high school to Division I college but feels it will just take a little time to make the step.

“It will come when I start playing,” the outside linebacker said. “A lot of it is mentality and when you’re confident mentally it will come quicker.”

English will join a 3-4 defensive pass rush that features Shawne Merriman, a Pro Bowl outside linebacker. Chargers head coach Norv Turner is looking forward to putting English into the set and putting pressure on the quarterback.

One of San Diego’s weaknesses over the past five years has been the passing game. Turner said the team has seen the most passes over the past five years than any other team in the league. With those numbers, a pass rusher was in great need.

“You look at the way teams attack us, they don’t line up in two tight ends and two backs and run the ball 40 times in a game,” Turner said. “Last year over half our snaps were in some form of sub-package against a three and four wide receiver set. We felt a real urgency to create situations where we can put more pressure on the quarterback and obviously getting Shawne Merriman back will help us greatly there, but adding a rusher we thought would certainly help us.”