LaCale London Bio
LaCale London is an American professional football player born on August 5, 1997, in Peoria, Illinois. He plays as a nose tackle for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. London pursued collegiate football at Iowa Central Community College before transferring to Western Illinois University, where he developed into a formidable defensive lineman. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears in 2020 and has since built a journeyman career spanning multiple teams in both the NFL and XFL.
Early Life and Background
LaCale London was born on August 5, 1997, in Peoria, Illinois, where he attended Peoria High School. During his high school career, London earned all-conference honors and was recognized as the defensive player of the year. His standout performance at the high school level laid the foundation for his transition to collegiate football.
After graduating from Peoria High School, London initially enrolled at Iowa Central Community College in 2016. As a freshman, he appeared in six games and recorded 32 tackles while also notching six quarterback sacks. His disruptive play in the defensive backfield demonstrated his potential as a pass-rushing threat at the next level.
Path to the NFL
Following his season at Iowa Central Community College, London transferred to Western Illinois University to continue his collegiate career. In his first season with the Leathernecks in 2018, he appeared in all eleven games and recorded 23 tackles with 3.5 sacks. His impressive debut earned him a spot on the Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer team.
As a senior in 2019, London elevated his game further by starting all twelve games. He tied for second in the conference with three forced fumbles and accumulated 45 tackles throughout the season. His consistent performance earned him second-team All-MVCF honors from Phil Steele, signaling his readiness for professional football.
LaCale London Career
Chicago Bears (2020–2022)
After going unselected in the 2020 NFL Draft, London signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent. He was released during roster cuts but was re-signed to the practice squad, where he spent his entire rookie season without seeing game action.
The 2021 season began with London being placed on injured reserve, but he was released with an injury settlement in September. He returned to the practice squad in November and was activated in December. London made his NFL debut on December 20, playing one snap in a loss against the Minnesota Vikings. He signed a reserve/future contract in January 2022 but was waived in August before the season started.
St. Louis BattleHawks Breakthrough (2023)
On November 17, 2022, London was selected by the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL. His opportunity came when the spring league resumed play in 2023. He made an immediate impact, recording two forced fumbles in a victory over the Seattle Sea Dragons. His standout performance earned him XFL Defensive Player of the Week honors, validating his abilities as a disruptive interior defender. London was released from his BattleHawks contract on May 15, 2023.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2023–Present)
London signed with the Atlanta Falcons on May 16, 2023. He was waived during final roster cuts but re-signed to the practice squad. His strong work ethic paid off when the Falcons signed him to the active roster on October 24. He was placed on injured reserve shortly after but was activated on December 16, finishing the season with the team.
London began the 2024 season with the Falcons but was waived on August 27 and re-signed to the practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with Atlanta on January 17, 2025, securing his spot for the upcoming season. In March 2026, London re-signed with the Falcons, continuing his tenure with the organization.
Playing Style and Strengths
London operates as a nose tackle, specializing in clogging the middle of the defensive line and stopping the run. His background at Western Illinois showcased his ability to collapse pockets and pressure quarterbacks, evidenced by his multiple sack seasons in college. His capacity to force fumbles demonstrates his knack for creating turnovers, a trait valued highly in defensive tackle play.
Notable Events and Milestones
The standout moment in London’s professional career came during his stint with the St. Louis BattleHawks when he earned XFL Defensive Player of the Week after forcing two fumbles in a single game against the Seattle Sea Dragons. His NFL debut on December 20, 2021, against the Minnesota Vikings marked another milestone in his progression from undrafted free agent to regular contributor.
LaCale London Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career spanning five seasons with the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons, London has accumulated meaningful statistics despite limited playing time. His XFL performance served as a springboard that demonstrated his starting-caliber talent.
NFL Career Highlights
London has appeared in multiple NFL games across his career with the Bears and Falcons. His career statistics include 43 total tackles, 5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 pass deflection. His best professional moment came with the St. Louis BattleHawks, where he earned weekly defensive honors in the XFL before returning to NFL action.
College Achievements
At Western Illinois, London earned MVCF All-Newcomer team honors in 2018 after recording 23 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He followed with a second-team All-MVCF selection as a senior in 2019, accumulating 45 tackles and forcing three fumbles. His six-sack freshman season at Iowa Central Community College established his reputation as a pass-rushing threat.
| Competition Level | Total Tackles | Sacks | Forced Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Career | 43 | 5 | 1 |
| Western Illinois (2018-2019) | 68 | 6.5 | 3 |
| Iowa Central CC (2016) | 32 | 6 | 0 |
LaCale London Family
Family Background
Limited information is publicly available regarding LaCale London’s family background. He has maintained privacy regarding his parents and family members throughout his professional career.
Personal Life
London continues to reside with his football career as his primary focus. He maintains an active presence on Instagram under the handle lacale_london. As of his most recent professional activities, London has not publicly disclosed information about a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
LaCale London entered the 2025 season with the Atlanta Falcons after signing a reserve/future contract in January. The nose tackle position remains a critical component of the Falcons’ defensive scheme as they aim to improve their run defense. London’s familiarity with the organization after joining in 2023 provides continuity along the defensive line rotation.
His journey from undrafted free agent to XFL standout back to the NFL demonstrates his resilience and ability to adapt. The Falcons coaching staff has valued his interior pressure ability and physicality against the run. His career path reflects the modern reality for many defensive players who must prove themselves across multiple platforms to secure a lasting NFL role.