If someone told Larry English in February that he would be more relaxed now than he was at the NFL Combine, he probably would’ve laughed.

Now with only 12 days left until the biggest day in his football career, English is simply enjoying the ride.

“As [the NFL Draft] keeps getting closer, I’m really starting to relax, and I don’t know why,” the former NIU defensive end said. “It’s odd, but it’s out of my hands now. I’ve done all I can do.”

All the Aurora native has done is launch himself from a successful career at NIU to a projected first-round pick in the NFL Draft on Saturday, April 25. English impressed scouts at NIU’s pro day workouts and has since gone to four individual workouts at Huskie Stadium and seven team

visits.

“It’s been cool seeing all the facilities and complexes, meeting with coaches, players and general managers,” English added.

With individual workouts complete and the business end of things wrapping up, it’s all over but the waiting. All those weeks of draft talk and rising and falling draft stocks will finally be over.

And Larry? Well, at first he was frustrated by constantly hearing about his draft stock rising and falling by the week. As the draft process has gone forward, his tolerance to the draft experts has grown. Now, the draft talk doesn’t really affect him ­— he knows that at the end of the day, where he goes is well out of his control.

“I really don’t pay attention to the media, I just handle what I need to handle,” the NIU all-time sack king said. “In my heart, I know where I’m at.”

English also knows where his heart is at. When it isn’t out on the field sacking quarterbacks or in the weight room preparing for the draft, it’s with his family and his mother, Susan. Scouts may be able to judge how fast or strong the two-time MAC MVP is, but there’s no possible way to judge the size of his heart and the love for his family.

“One of the biggest things I want to do is help my family and help my mom with what she needs,” English said of collecting his first paycheck or signing bonus. “There is some relief not having to worry about money, but I have to focus on what’s important, and right now that’s football.”

While football may be put on hold momentarily, English is like a kid on Christmas Eve waiting for the draft and waiting to play football again. He just needs a team to play for, which will all come in just 12 days.

“I’m anxious,” he said. “But at the same time I’m just enjoying the process and enjoying the opportunity.”