Patriots player profile: Undrafted Lan Larison is a jack of all trades

Previewing the Patriots running back heading into his first NFL season.

With Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson returning as the 1-2 punch, the New England Patriots entered the 2025 offseason seemingly well-set atop their running back depth chart. However, that did not stop them from bringing in some competition, including undrafted rookie Lan Larison.

Hard facts

Name: Lan Larison

Position: Running back

Jersey number: 32

Opening day age: 23 (10/11/2001)

Measurements: 5’10 1/2”, 209 lbs, 73 3/4” wingspan, 30 1/8” arm length, 9 3/4” hand size, 4.57s 40-yard dash, 6.93s 3-cone drill, 4.21s short shuttle, 35 1/2” vertical jump, 9’11” broad jump, 21 bench press reps, 7.02 Relative Athletic Score

Experience

NFL: New England Patriots (2025-) | College: UC Davis (2020-24)

Despite being a productive dual-threat quarterback at Vallivue High School in Caldwell, ID, Larison flew largely under the radar. A two-star recruit, he eventually found his way to UC Davis, where he spent his entire five-year college career. During that time, he developed into one of the most productive players in school history and one of the top performers in the FCS.

Larison appeared in a combined 50 games as an Aggie, gaining a school record 6,504 all-purpose yards and scoring 52 total touchdowns (plus one passing TD). Productive as a runner, receiver and kickoff returner, he was named All-Big Sky each of his five seasons (first team 2022, 2023, 2024; second team 2020, 2021) and honored as the conference’s offensive player of the year in 2023.

Despite his standout career in Davis, Larison did not hear his name called in the 2025 NFL Draft. He signed with the Patriots as a free agent shortly after the conclusion of the seventh round.

Scouting report

Strengths: Larison combines a low center of gravity with a solid athletic skillset as well as the contact balance and strength needed to break tackles. A “fight for ever yard”-type of runner, he averaged 3.6 yards after contact and forced 132 missed tackles over the course of his college career. His ability to keep his feet moving and power through defenders is complemented by some good vision and patience; he reads his blocks well and can adapt accordingly when things start to break down or holes begin to open up elsewhere.

Larison’s running abilities also serve him well as a receiver. He is dangerous in open space and with the ball in his hands, averaging 10.5 yards after catch over his time in college. He runs routes at a consistent speed and makes decisive and quick breaks, uncovering quickly against linebackers. He also has natural, fairly big hands as well as the concentration to keep drops at a minimum.

The aforementioned play strength also allowed Larison to impress as a pass protector in college. Despite a lack of size, he showed the power in his upper body to hold his own against players bigger than him. The numbers speak for themselves: he gave up only two pressures, including zero sacks, during 124 pass blocking reps at UC Davis.

Other positive attributes include Larison’s experience as a kickoff returner and wildcat quarterback (20 career dropback snaps with 18 pass attempts). He also made headlines in 2019 when he saved the life of Vallivue teammate who had suffered cardiac arrest while swimming; Larison pulled him from the water and administered CPR until paramedics arrived at the scene.

Weaknesses: As a size/speed athlete, Larison is nothing special. Measuring under 5-foot-11 and 209 pounds, his 40 time (4.57s; 46%tile) and 10-yard split (1.67s; 4%tile) are both below average for a running back prospect. His second gear is also lacking, and his impressive yards after contact numbers are mostly due to his strength and agility rather than his straight line speed; running away from pro-level defenders will be a challenge for him.

In general, the NFL presents a serious uptick in competition, something that will also stress his other areas of college success. Will he continue to hold up well in pass protection against superior athletes? Will he be able to get open that easily as a receiver? Will his vision and patience still stand out when the holes are smaller and getting shut quickly? Will his ball protection issues — eight career fumbles, including four in 2024 — continue?

2024 review

Stats: 14 games (14 starts) | 765 offensive snaps, 53 special teams snaps | 284 carries, 1,465 yards (5.2 yards/carry), 17 TDs, 4 fumbles, 1 fumble recovery | 83 targets, 62 catches (74.7%), 847 yards, 6 TDs, 3 drops | 0 pressures surrendered | 7 pass attempts, 5 completions (71.4%), 45 yards, 1 INT | 5 kickoff returns, 75 yards (15.0 yards/return) | 1 penalty

Season recap: Gaining 1,299 yards from scrimmage and scoring 15 touchdowns, Larison had the best season of his career to that point in 2023. His 2024 campaign blew those numbers out of the water (even though they did not result in him winning Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year honors for a second straight year).

Starting all 14 games and playing his most ever offensive snaps in a single season (765), Larison set new career marks in virtually every meaningful statistical category. As a result of his uptick in opportunity and production, he finished with a combined 2,312 rushing and receiving yards as well as 23 total touchdowns.

Looking closer at those numbers, you can see the sheer absurdity of his production in 2024. Larison, for example, gained more than 100 scrimmage yards in 12 of his 14 games; the only exceptions were the season opener against Cal, when he had 73 yards, as well as the Aggies’ Division I playoff quarterfinal loss against South Dakota that he left at in the first half due to an ankle injury.

In between those two games, he seemingly gained yards at will — including four contests that saw him cross the 200-yard mark. Best among those was a 257-yard game versus Eastern Washington. He also was the only player in the nation to register at least 100 receiving and 100 rushing yards rushing in a single game, a feat he accomplished twice (at Portland State, vs. Montana State).

In addition, Larison also found the end zone in 12 out of 14 games. He had five separate three-touchdown games.

His contributions did not stop there. The first-team All-Big Sky selection and FCS All-American also gained 45 yards on five pass completions and 75 yards on five kickoff returns.

His only blemish was his ball security. Besides fumbling the ball four times as a runner, Larison also threw an interception in a win over Cal Poly. Other than those and his injury in the final game of the year, he can be quite happy with his last season of college ball — even though it neither resulted in a championship nor in him getting drafted.

2025 preview

Position: All-purpose RB/Gadget piece | Ability: Depth player/Role player | Contract: Signed through 2027

What will be his role? Larison was a jack of all trades on the offensive side of the ball in college, and the Patriots are likely to use him as such at the next level as well. He saw plenty of opportunities as a receiving back during the open portion of the admittedly pass-heavy offseason workout program, for example. At the moment, he projects as a rotational fourth running back option behind Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson and Antonio Gibson.

What is his growth potential? Larison’s lack of all-around athleticism might put a ceiling on just how far he can go, but he has a solid foundation to build on. If the Patriots and the 23-year-old manage to do that, he could become a regular change-of-pace option on offense (in the mold of Danny Woodhead or Rex Burkhead) as well as a potential contributor on special teams further down the line.

Does he have positional versatility? Well, yes. In fact, Larison might have an argument as one of the most naturally versatile players on the Patriots’ roster at the moment: he was a high-level producer as both a runner and receiver in college, was used as a package quarterback on occasion, and finished his career with 1,246 kickoff return yards. While that usage translating to the NFL 1-for-1 is unlikely, he brings plenty of diverse experience to the table.

What is his salary cap situation? Larison was one of the Patriots’ priorities as an undrafted free agent, with his 2025 salary cap number of $848,333 being tied for second among the team’s UDFAs (behind TE C.J. Dippre’s $850,000). It consists of a $840,000 base salary including a $150,000 guarantee as well as a fully-guaranteed $8,333 signing bonus proration. Under the NFL’s Top 51 rule, that latter number is Larison’s current salary cap impact.

How safe is his roster spot? Even though there is plenty to like about Larison as an undrafted prospect, his roster spot is far from secure. A lot will depend on his performance in training camp and preseason as well as the the balance the team is looking for on offense. Will a fourth running back be valued higher than additional depth elsewhere? Based on his offseason usage, that might end up being the case.

Summary: The Patriots have several UDFAs worth keeping an eye on this summer, and Larison is near the top of the list. After all, his versatile skillset makes him an intriguing option for offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to play with. While it remains to be seen if it also leads to him making the roster or even the practice squad, he could become a fan favorite in training camp and preseason.

What do you think about Lan Larison heading into the 2025 season? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts.