Larry Dean (gridiron football)


Larry Dean is a Canadian football linebacker for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football at Valdosta State.

College career

In college, Dean helped lead the Blazers to the 2007 NCAA Division II national championship as just a freshman. In his career, Dean garnered many accolades, including All-America honors. He was named the Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year during his senior year, while also garnering the Daktronics National Defensive Player of the Year honors at the Division II level. He is the school's all-time leader in tackles, passing former Blazer and Atlanta Falcon great Jessie Tuggle during his senior season in 2010.

Professional career

After waiting out an NFL lockout in 2011, Dean graduated from Valdosta State and signed his free agent rookie contract with the Vikings on the same day. He was the only undrafted free agent to make the Vikings' roster in 2011.
In 2019, he was the unanimous selection for Edmonton Eskimos Most Outstanding Defensive Player.