Pats Pulpit
The New England Patriots are entering 2026 with a promising duo atop their running back depth chart. But while Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson are roster locks and possibly one of the most exciting one-two punches in the game, the depth behind them is a question mark: the current composition of backups combines for a grand total of 10 NFL games and 77 offensive snaps, all courtesy of Terrell Jennings.
A lack of a clearly-defined RB3, however, presents an opportunity for what is currently four depth players. One of them is sophomore Lan Larison, who seems like a possible frontrunner to become the No. 3 back based on his spring usage.
Name: Lan Larison
Position: Running back
Jersey number: 34 (w)
Opening day age: 24 (10/11/2001)
Measurements: 5’10 1/2”, 209 lbs, 9 3/4” hand size, 30 1/8” arm length, 73 3/4” wingspan, 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
NFL: New England Patriots (2025-) | College: UC Davis (2020-24)
A productive dual-threat quarterback at Vallivue High School in Caldwell, ID, Larison flew largely under the radar heading toward the college level. The two-star recruit eventually found his way to UC Davis, where he spent his entire five-year college career and developed into one of the most productive players in school history.
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, however, 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, but was forced to miss his entire rookie season on injured reserve.
Strengths: Standing at just under 5-foot-11 and 209 pounds, 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 every yard”-type of runner, he initiates contact, plays with a good pad level, and keeps his feet moving to power through defenders. His play strength allows him to compete as a pass protector as well. Despite a lack of size, he showed the power in his upper body to hold his own against players bigger than him, and in his last 26 pass blocking reps between UC Davis and the NFL preseason surrendered just two pressures and zero sacks.
Larison also has shown some good vision and patience, reads his blocks well, and can adapt accordingly when things start to break down or holes begin to open up elsewhere — skills that also serve him...
