As Larry English begins a new chapter in his life and football career, he closes the door on his NIU Huskie career.

He didn’t go out on top, as the Huskies lost the Independence Bowl 17-10 to Louisiana Tech, but he left a lasting memory as the highest draft pick in NIU history at No. 16 overall.

“Northern Illinois was my first offer and I had a lot of offers from MAC schools. Iowa came in late [and] I wasn’t real highly touted coming out of high school,” English recounted. “At that point, I had already committed to going to Northern Illinois. I felt that it was right to stick to my commitment to come to Northern and I think things, they worked out great for me. At the end of the day, God had a plan for me and put me in the right place.”

English finished his career as one of the most decorated athletes in NIU history. He was a two-time MAC Most Valuable Player, is the Huskies career sack leader with 31.5 sacks and was MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 along with being listed on the Bronco Nagurski Watch List, an award given to the most outstanding defensive player.

“The thing about Larry is that he plays the game because he loves to play,” said Jerry Kill, NIU head football coach. “I think a lot of guys play for money and that, but not Larry.”

Among English’s best memories as a Huskie are beating Western Michigan to go to the MAC Championship in 2005 and this year’s victory over Toledo on Homecoming which NIU won 38-7. English forced a fumble on a sack in that game.

As the Huskies walked off the field at the Independence Bowl on Dec. 28, English realized that his NIU career was coming to a close.

“It didn’t really cross my mind until I turned around by the gates and looked at the field,” he said. “That was the point when I realized it.”