Larry English will go down as the most prolific pass rusher in Huskie football history. In 2008, he set the career sack record with 31.5.

English is the only defensive player to win back-to-back Vern Smith Awards for MAC MVP. English led the 2008 NIU defense that finished 20th in overall defense, earning him MAC Defensive Player of the Year. English joined Garrett Wolfe and Tim Tyrrell as the only other MAC MVP.