July 26th, 2011 
Branden Lemke 
Posted in @MNsportszone has tweeted the Valdosta State website states UDFA linebacker Larry Dean has signed with the Vikings. Dean led the GSC in tackles in 2010 with 122, and was selected as the Darktronics National Defensive Player Of The Year and GSC Defensive Player Of The Year.
Valdosta State Linebacker Signs With Vikings
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Congrats to Larry!! Vikings fans: You’re really going like Larry’s work ethic and attitude….such a great guy!!
Geez….guess I’m going to have become a Vikings fan…..
welcome aboard, BL…..come back often, you’ll love the exchange between (among) Adam, the “other writers” and all the regulars……good luck Larry…
GO VIKES!!!!!
Thanks krugir!
I’m not usually an NFL fan. D2 is my expertise, but I do like to follow our Valdosta State players who are playing in the NFL. I just wish more NFL teams would give D2 players a chance. Most have a great work ethic and don’t give you that “attitude” that you see from D1 players a lot of times, but that’s the way it is…..
I usually end my posts with Goooo….BLAZERS!! I guess now, I’ll have to say,
GOoooo…..VIKINGS!!
Here is a link on youtube of Larry Dean, that Mark Craig of Access Vikings posted http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMDFRh458G4 Dean looks fast and looks like he plays hard. All over the field
Oh yeah…..you’re right on with that analysis!
BLady, would it be totally tacky and offensive to ask just where Valdosta State is located? Not that totally tacky and offensive hasn’t happended on this blog in the past, but we try to keep it to a minimum.
B.Granestt,
Not offensive at all….lol….I’m use to football message boards…
Anywho, Valdosta State University is a regional university in south Georgia and is one of the largest Division 2 schools with over 12,000 students.
Here’s a link to the athletic web page:
http://www.vstateblazers.com/
If you would like to learn more about division 2, this is the best place to do so: http://www.d2football.com
I’m BlazerLady on their MB as well.
Quick trivia question, Coach Granestt, what’s the VSU mascot?
Ha…..
Division II mascot names are very entertaining to say the least….from Boll Weevils to the Wonder Boys, we do have interesting mascots!!
Wonder Boys??
Seriously?
Yep.
Arkansas Tech University mascots are the Wonder Boys and the Golden Suns(girls teams). The University of Arkansas-Monticello mascots are the Boll Weevils and the Cotton Blossoms(girls teams)…….always thought there was something different about Arkansas..
What I see in the guy (and I realize its a HIGHLIGHTS reel), is that he has a quick burst, and a wonderful knack of getting guys on the ground. Highlights or not, those are very impressive traits.
Good Signing, I hope he makes the team.
Dude looks pretty fast, what’s his 40 time? If it’s not tacky or offensive to ask. lol @ Coach!
+1, not sure where it is.
Appears to have a good nose for the football may have to add weight at 220 lbs. even at 6 foot tall may have problem withstanding the pounding in the pro game at that size, great speed and motor on this guy and shows great instincts I certainly wish him the best. My guess is that if he doesn’t make the team it won’t be from a lack of effort with the motor he has. There is a lot to be said for the video clips on players that we see. This young man loves the game of football as he clearly displays in his U- tube highlight videos, actions speak louder than words for me and his actions are screaming from what I’ve seen. Best of luck to Larry Dean hope the kid get a roster spot.
I like the look of him, he seems to give %110 on the field! Hopefully with an NFL training and conditioning regime he can bulk up a bit without losing too much of that speed.
Thankful that Larry’s getting the opportunity. Super young man.
Have been around D2 fotball for quite a while – particularly Valdosta State. Have never seen anyone as humble or as hardworking as Larry.
Strong leadership skills along with very good athleticism.
Broke all of Jessie Tuggle’s records at VSU (5 time Pro Bowl LB for Atlanta in the late 80′s and 90′s).
On the 40 times, Larry ran a 4.5 at his pro day.
Also did 22 reps (225), 36 1/2″ vertical leap and 10’1″ broad jump.
Currently weighing just over 230.
Sure hope he stays healthy and gets a real opportunity under the current situation.
Pretty impressive Blazers, I like the kid already. Cant wait to see him in action and he’ll have a pretty darn good lb coach to help him out.
Easy johnny, not so fast. I haven’t even seen the young man yet.
I know Coach but the youtube video Randy linked sure caught my attention and I would like to see him in some preseason action. I’m in no way suggesting that he’ll be a day one starter.
What Blazers said is true. Larry is a very humble, hardworking player. He just has that instinctive radar for the football. As soon as he knows where the ball is headed, he’s a great closer. Oh, and he can give you hit now and pop some heads!! Plus, he’ll give you 100% in practice and a 100% during a game. Like a lot of D2 players, he just loves to play football.
I think that is why I love watching D2 football so much…….it’s not about the crowds, the TV, the hype, the bling like D1, it’s just all about football, your team, and your school.
Coach, level of competition is astromically higher for Larry and all the signees, so nothing is a given.
His first goal is to make the team, and I know he’s not looking past that.
Again, one of the most humble guys I’ve seen and also an exceptionally hard worker.
Reason I said hope gets chance is because of the accelerated schedule teams are on now.
We’ll take your high recommendations, Blazer and Lady, and I’ll be pulling for him all the way. Sounds like he’d make a great Viking! (He’s a better player than Fred Smoots, right? I mean, you said he can and wants to tackle.)
Does he love to tackle? Oh yeah!
Last season for a 2-3 week period, Larry lead EVERY division(I,II, and III) in the total number of solo tackles!
Dean leaves Valdosta with degree in hand. Before leaving for Minnesota, VSU interim president Levy presented Larry with his degree in a special graduation ceremony(actual graduation is this Saturday).
http://valdostadailytimes.com/sports/x1926598234/Larry-Dean-s-big-day
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