Larry Brackins

Larry Brackins (born November 5, 1982) is an American football wide receiver who is currently a member of the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Pearl River Community College.

Brackins has also been a member of the New York Jets, New York Sentinels and Dallas Vigilantes.

Early years
Brackins attended Dothan High School where he was an All-State selection in both basketball and football. During his senior season, he recorded 32 receptions for 643 yards and six touchdowns, and also scored four rushing touchdowns as well. For his high school career, he averaged 31.0 yards per kickoff return and recorded 57 total tackles and one touchdown on an interception return. In basketball, he averaged 17 points, 12 rebounds, and five blocks a game while helping lead his team to the Class 6A state championship game.

College career
Brackins attended Pearl River Community College where he majored in Physical education. As a freshman, he recorded 43 receptions for 772 yards, and nine touchdowns he was also named First-Team All-State and First-Team All-Region in both football and basketball. For his career, he recorded 101 receptions for 1,834 yards and 19 touchdowns, while starting 23 games. While there he also won numerous awards, such as: 2003 All-MACJC, 2003 All-Region 23, 2004 First-team NJCAA All-American, 2004 All-MACJC, and 2004 All-Region 23.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Brackins was selected in the fifth round (155th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on April 24, 2005. He signed with the team on July 28, however he did not make the roster and was released on September 7. On January 10, 2006, he re-signed with the Buccaneers, and went to training camp with the team, where he made two receptions for 19 yards. However, he was again released on July 25.

Philadelphia Soul
In 2007, Brackins signed with the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League. As a rookie he played in 10 regular season games and one playoff game. He was named Offensive Player of the Game twice, and recorded 56 receptions for 786 yards and 20 touchdowns.

In 2008, Brackins finished ranked 17th in the league in receiving with 107 receptions for 1,395 yards and 29 touchdowns with a long of 43. He also finished 14th on the team in tackles with nine, and he returned one kickoff for zero yards. He was also named Offensive Player of the Game on three occasions that season. Brackins was the receiver of the game winning touchdown pass, in the playoffs against the New York Dragons. It was the first major video review in AFL history. The ruling was a touchdown, and Philadelphia would advance to host the Cleveland Gladiators the next week. Also, on July 27, 2008, he won his first championship of his professional career when the Soul defeated the San Jose SaberCats 59-56 in ArenaBowl XXII.

New York Jets
On August 19, 2008, Brackins was signed by the New York Jets. However, he was released on August 30 during final cuts.

California Redwoods
On July 18, 2009, Brackins was drafted by the United Football League's California Redwoods. He signed with the team on September 2.

Dallas Vigilantes
Brackins was a member of the Dallas Vigilantes. In his first game he totaled 6 receptions for 103 yards.

Philadelphia Soul
Brackins re-joined the Philadelphia Soul in the 2011 season when the team returned to the Arena Football League. However, he was placed on waivers after a poor performance in a game vs. the Tampa Bay Storm in Week 6, but was brought back a week later due to his contributions on Special Teams and to be a Red Zone wide receiver specialist. He earned Ironman of the Game honors in two games later that year, as well as being named MVP and Offensive Player of the Game for his performance vs. the Cleveland Gladiators in Week 18 when he had 9 receptions for 133 yards and 3 touchdowns.

In 2012, Brackins became the Philadelphia Soul's all-time franchise leader in touchdown receptions when he caught his 65th touchdown pass as a member of the Soul in Week 4 against Cleveland. He had his best game of the regular season in Week 20 vs. Utah in which he caught 5 passes for 33 yards and 4 touchdowns while earning MVP of the Game honors. Brackins excelled in the 2012 playoffs, scoring 14 total touchdowns in three games and set a Soul franchise record, as well as an Arena Football League playoff record for a single game when he scored 8 touchdowns (5 receiving, 2 rushing, 1 kick return) in the Soul's American Conference championship victory against the Jacksonville Sharks.