Courtesy of VSU Sports Information
VALDOSTA, Ga. - Former Valdosta State linebacker Larry Dean has signed a contract with the Minnesota Vikings.
Dean, who was a consensus first team All-America honoree after the 2010 season, came to terms with the Vikings shortly after the 10:00 a.m. deadline to begin signing rookies and undrafted free agents. He will travel to Minnesota later this week and will open camp with the Vikings on the campus of the University of Minnesota-Mankato on Sunday, July 31.
Dean became the Valdosta State and Gulf South Conference career record holder in tackles during the 2010 season as he finished his career with 368. His 122 tackles during his senior season helped him eclipse the VSU school record held by former Blazer All-American and NFL Pro Bowler Jessie Tuggle.
Dean's accomplishments during his senior season saw him named the Daktronics National Defensive Player of the Year while he garnered first team All-America honors from Daktronics, the American Football Coaches Association, D2Football.com, the Football Gazette and the Associated Press. He was also named the NCAA Division II Super Region 2 and Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
In addition to his record-breaking tackles, Dean also finished his career among the Valdosta State career leaders in tackles for loss, finishing sixth with 33.0. A four-year starter for the Blazers, who helped the team win the 2007 NCAA Division II national championship as a freshman in 2007, Dean recorded three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown in 2010, and three fumble recoveries, two of which were returned for scores, during his career. Additionally, he broke up 16 passes and forced five fumbles while blocking two extra point attempts and registering 9.5 sacks in 47 career games.