Player Signing Welcome to New England Lan Larison, RB UCAL DAVIS

[Triumph]

This guy is incredibly gifted and exciting. My favorite move of today. I think he could be the most talented UDFA the patriots have ever signed. If he stays healthy, I think he will make the team. First UDFA to ever be a "rodeo" guy, Although I think Mankins was as well
Has a very high ceiling and is exactly what you should shoot for with UDFA. Watch the guys highlight video...he does remind me of Christian McCaffrey. Great pass catcher out of backfield, incredibly productive, I think he can make the jump
Nice job signing this guy Pats!
Love the idea of a Henderson/Larison one two punch. Rhamondre and Gibson can back them up. Drake will love this guy.

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: UC Davis RB Lan Larison

UC Davis RB Lan Larison Scouting Report

www.si.com

Me too.

Glad that you started this thread because this guy deserves one. He is already jacked and pumped to join the Pats.

Ran a 4.4 - 40 yard dash.

https://www.idahostatesman.com/sports/high-school/prep-football/article305159951.html

 

[Huckleberry1]

He’s a much better athlete than I realized. I had seen the highlights and knew he was a great receiver, but he’s faster, stronger, and more athletic than most of the RB’s who were drafted.

 

[scott99]

Given the talent Belichick dug up over the years, that would be high praise indeed.

I always looked forward to the UDFA signings under Belichick because often times they were better than his actual drafts.

 

[manxman2601]

I've thought for a while that we're going to be a run first team next year and I can envisage a lot of 12 formations where, instead of the traditional FB/HB combo, we could see HB/HB combinations where we either combine thunder and lightning with Stevenson and Henderson or combine Henderson and Larison for a more pass orientated 2 HB set. The run blocking abilities of Mack Hollins and Treveyon Henderson really does turn a formation like that into a 50/50 run/pass conundrum for a DC.

 

[jlu52]

I've thought for a while that we're going to be a run first team next year and I can envisage a lot of 12 formations where, instead of the traditional FB/HB combo, we could see HB/HB combinations where we either combine thunder and lightning with Stevenson and Henderson or combine Henderson and Larison for a more pass orientated 2 HB set. The run blocking abilities of Mack Hollins and Treveyon Henderson really does turn a formation like that into a 50/50 run/pass conundrum for a DC.

I agree, Vrable is building a team of dedicated football lovers. I'm quite enthused, can't wait for practices and games to begin.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I've thought for a while that we're going to be a run first team next year and I can envisage a lot of 12 formations where, instead of the traditional FB/HB combo, we could see HB/HB combinations where we either combine thunder and lightning with Stevenson and Henderson or combine Henderson and Larison for a more pass orientated 2 HB set. The run blocking abilities of Mack Hollins and Treveyon Henderson really does turn a formation like that into a 50/50 run/pass conundrum for a DC.

Josh does like to run the ball if it's working...

At the start of the year. I figure Maye chucks it 30 times a game and they run it 30. That includes Maye on a couple of designed runs.

As Maye becomes more comfortable in the passing game in Josh's offense, that might evolve to 52/48.

Of course this is all predicated on the game being competitive in the 4th quarter

 

[manxman2601]

Josh does like to run the ball if it's working...

At the start of the year. I figure Maye chucks it 30 times a game and they run it 30. That includes Maye on a couple of designed runs.

As Maye becomes more comfortable in the passing game in Josh's offense, that might evolve to 52/48.

Of course this is all predicated on the game being competitive in the 4th quarter

I think our new and improved defense will certainly keep many more games competitive.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I think our new and improved defense will certainly keep many more games competitive.

I think so too. No way Vrabel stays in dime when the Jets run it 544 times in a row. Jesus. Brain dead Mayo

 

[Patsgofor4]

A December ankle surgery kept him out of the senior all-star games, but he started climbing NFL draft boards after running a 4.46 40-yard dash at UC Davis' pro day last month.

Love this: “His message to NFL teams is simple: ‘Just roll the tape.’”


It’s legitimately perplexing that this guy wasn’t worth a late day 3 pick, particularly with that mustache.

 

[DarrylS]

Always have liked "underdog" NFL draftees who have something to prove with a big chip on their shoulder..
Brady, Edelman, David Andrews etc.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

A December ankle surgery kept him out of the senior all-star games, but he started climbing NFL draft boards after running a 4.46 40-yard dash at UC Davis' pro day last month.

Love this: “His message to NFL teams is simple: ‘Just roll the tape.’”


It’s legitimately perplexing that this guy wasn’t worth a late day 3 pick, particularly with that mustache.

It's the soul patch.

 

[scott99]

Me too.

Glad that you started this thread because this guy deserves one. He is already jacked and pumped to join the Pats.

Ran a 4.4 - 40 yard dash.

https://www.idahostatesman.com/sports/high-school/prep-football/article305159951.html

It’s incredible he ran a 4.46 considering he was coming off ankle surgery a few months prior. When I watched him on video, actually looks much faster than 4.46. Not that 4.46 is slow, but he looks faster.

I saw his videos a few weeks prior to the draft, and they definitely made me go “hmmm”, really interesting prospect. I’m seeing a bigger Danny Woodhead or a faster Burkhead. But Larison looks like a really good receiving back too. Hell, they threw to him deep like a WR.

Him and Chism will be my training camp binkies for sure.

 

[Mike the Brit]

I have a question.

I remember that, after McDaniels left and Belichick decided to be OC through Judge and Patricia, they broke with tradition and let Jak Johnson go to follow Josh because their new running scheme wasn't going to feature a full-back.

Now that McDaniels is back and the signs are that they are going to be a run-heavy team, I expected them to pick up a full-back. But it hasn't happened.

Does anyone have an explanation?

 

[Uptown]

It’s incredible he ran a 4.46 considering he was coming off ankle surgery a few months prior. When I watched him on video, actually looks much faster than 4.46. Not that 4.46 is slow, but he looks faster.

I saw his videos a few weeks prior to the draft, and they definitely made me go “hmmm”, really interesting prospect. I’m seeing a bigger Danny Woodhead or a faster Burkhead. But Larison looks like a really good receiving back too. Hell, they threw to him deep like a WR.

Him and Chism will be my training camp binkies for sure.

Agreed. Larison, Lampe & EC3.

 

[scott99]

Forgot to add, he was a team captain as well. You know Vrabel loves that.

 

[manxman2601]

I have a question.

I remember that, after McDaniels left and Belichick decided to be OC through Judge and Patricia, they broke with tradition and let Jak Johnson go to follow Josh because their new running scheme wasn't going to feature a full-back.

Now that McDaniels is back and the signs are that they are going to be a run-heavy team, I expected them to pick up a full-back. But it hasn't happened.

Does anyone have an explanation?

They signed one as a UDFA.

 

[Wozzy]

Looks like Rex Burkhead.

 

[Jim Beankie]

BTW, I'm now wondering if he was ESPN's Prospect X.

Meet 'Prospect X' -- the mystery 2025 NFL draft hopeful

ESPN spent the past few months on a hunt for the most overlooked prospect in the 2025 NFL draft.

www.espn.com

Larison played at the Shrine, so it can't be him. Consensus that it's QB Tommy Mellott who was picked up by TB12 the Raiders in the 6th:

"When I was in the fourth grade, my first practice in little guy football, I had his [JE11's] jersey on," Mellott reflected with a smile. "He was a rookie, so he was just a punt returner. But, I had his rookie card, I had his jersey. He’s a guy for whatever reason I’ve leaned towards, I suppose.

From Walter Payton Award to NFL prospect: 'I'd bet on Tommy Mellott'

After a stellar pro day performance last week in Bozeman, Butte's Tommy Mellott looks to take advantage of whatever NFL shot he might get.

www.montanasports.com

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

A December ankle surgery kept him out of the senior all-star games, but he started climbing NFL draft boards after running a 4.46 40-yard dash at UC Davis' pro day last month.

Love this: “His message to NFL teams is simple: ‘Just roll the tape.’”


It’s legitimately perplexing that this guy wasn’t worth a late day 3 pick, particularly with that mustache.

You think that is only a Day 3 stache?

 

[mikey m]

I've thought for a while that we're going to be a run first team next year and I can envisage a lot of 12 formations where, instead of the traditional FB/HB combo, we could see HB/HB combinations where we either combine thunder and lightning with Stevenson and Henderson or combine Henderson and Larison for a more pass orientated 2 HB set. The run blocking abilities of Mack Hollins and Treveyon Henderson really does turn a formation like that into a 50/50 run/pass conundrum for a DC.

I don't know Manx, both these running backs we grabbed to me scream QBs best friend, in that they're great in pass pro and dangerous on any checkdown or wheel route. Kyle Williams, explosive weapon, doesn't offer much in run blocking, likewise for Diggs. I think our OL (while how it will look by mid season is certainly up in the air) is full of guys who are a little better pass protectors than run blockers. I think Hollins is the only guy we can point to as maybe being more of a plus to the run game than the pass game. Our tightends arent exactly strong in the run game, and I don't believe we picked one up.

I really think Vrabel, JM, and Co made decisions to set Drake up for success. And not success like have a strong run game, and don't ask him to do too much success. But success like we believe this kid can be one of the best QBs in the league, let's put the ball in his hands, protect him, get some playmakers around him and find out.