Rookie undrafted free agent running back Lan Larison knew he was going to sign with the New England Patriots before the 2025 NFL draft ended.
UC Davis coach Tim Plough, who coached Larison in college, said he received a phone call from his star running back during the draft. Initially, Plough thought Larison was calling to tell him that he had been drafted, but he was actually calling to say he had already decided he was going to sign with the Patriots.
“He was calling me to say he already decided he was going to be a Patriot,” Plough said, via NESN’s Sean T. McGuire. “And I’m like, ‘Well, you might still get drafted, Lan.’ And he’s like, ‘Well, yeah, that’s if I don’t get drafted. …It was just pretty funny to hear him say he already knows it’s the Patriots when the draft isn’t even over yet.”
One of the big selling points for Larison on New England was the personal phone call he received from Patriots coach Mike Vrabel. The FCS All-American clearly had multiple options considering the Patriots offered him $175,000 in guaranteed money, which is a strong contract for an undrafted rookie.
He’s a versatile running back with the ability to make plays as a rusher, pass protect and catch passes. Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has a long history of making stars out of dual threat running backs, such as James White, Danny Woodhead, and Rex Burkhead.
Now, Larison will have an opportunity to be the next underdog success story in New England.
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