John Larson

Career Honors: 2008: Lott Trophy Watch List. 2007: Academic All-America Second Team (ESPN The Magazine), Academic All-District (ESPN The Magazine), Academic All-Big 12 First Team, KU co-Defensive Player of the Week (vs. Central Michigan). 2006: Academic All-Big 12. 2005: Academic All-Big 12.

2007 (Jr.): Ranked ninth in the Big 12 in tackles for loss per game (0.88)… Started all 13 games at right defensive end… Recorded 43 tackles to lead the KU linemen… Had 12 tackles for loss to rank second on the team… Had 2.5 sacks, dropping the quarterback against Central Michigan and Virginia Tech and sharing a sack at Kansas State… Recorded two interceptions, picking off passes against Toledo and Nebraska… Forced three fumbles (two vs. Florida International and one vs. Central Michigan) and recovered another (at Texas A&M)… Best tackle games were seven vs. Central Michigan and vs. Missouri… Had five tackles vs. Southeastern Louisiana… Had four stops in four games, including the Orange Bowl vs. Virginia Tech.

2006 (So.): Played in 10 games for the KU defense and on special teams… Ended the season with 13 total tackles, including nine solo stops… Posted three tackles-for-loss with two quarterback sacks… Had three pass break-ups and three quarterback hurries… Recorded a safety against Toledo… Recorded a season-high two solo tackles against Baylor… Had four multi-tackle performances… An Academic All-Big 12 First Team Selection.

2005 (Fr.): Recorded an assisted tackle in the contest at No. 13 Texas Tech… Played in a reserve role against Appalachian State… Earned Academic All-Big 12 Second Team accolades… Named to the Athletic Director[apos]s Honor Roll.

2004 (RS): Redshirted… A member of the Athletics Director[apos]s Honor Roll.

High School: An All-State performer in football and track… Named a team captain and earned the lineman MVP award as a senior… Named All-Metro by the Kansas City Star… Helped PHS to the conference championship in 2002, 2003 and 2004… Coached by Kevin Hart… Earned 10 letters in football, basketball and track… Co-founder and president of an investment group in high school.

Personal: Born in Kansas City, Mo… Is a pre-med major working on economics… Would like to attend medical school after graduation… Hobbies include dancing and playing Rock Star… Son of Tom and Jane Larson… Has two brothers and one sister… One brother was on the crew team at Harvard… Comes from a long line of family members who attended KU.

Favorites: Place to eat in Lawrence – Chipotle or Longhorn Steakhouse; Place to play football – Nebraska; Activity other than football – Hanging out with friends; Athlete – Jerry Rice; Pregame ritual – Pregame meal; Football memory – The Orange Bowl; Thing about your team – The strong character we have