This Rookie Compared To Patriots Greats Even Before Signing ‘One Of Richest Deals’

UC Davis head coach Tim Plough understands how it might sound.

Plough, however, swears to the fact he previously compared Lan Larison to the great Patriots running backs. It’s not strictly a result of Larison landing in New England this offseason, Plough stressed.

“It’s actually really funny because him going to the Patriots, but quietly when I would talk to NFL scouts I used the comps of like Rex Burkhead, Danny Woodhead and Kevin Faulk,” Plough told NESN.com. “Those are three names that I used to throw around. To me, in the NFL, that’s who he is.

“I swear I’m not making it up.”

Larison signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL Draft. The 2024 FCS All-American received “one of the richest” guarantees from the Patriots, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, which sums up the franchise’s aggressive pursuit. It was proven beforehand, though, when Mike Vrabel called Larison before the draft ended. Larison knew after that call, if he wasn’t drafted, he was signing in New England.

“I haven’t been coaching the NFL, I have a bunch of buddies in the NFL, but those things don’t happen in the NFL,” Plough said. “I know that for a fact. I know that the head coach isn’t personally calling undrafted free agent guys. I think that really spoke to Lan and his family that like, ‘Hey, this guy’s different. This culture, this environment, this franchise is different.'”

Larison concluded his five seasons at UC Davis as the school’s record-holder in single-season all-purpose yards (2,387) and career all-purpose yards (6,504). He did it all for the Aggies with career-highs in rushing yards (1,465), receiving yards (847) and touchdowns (23) in 14 games during the 2024 campaign.

A finalist for the Walter Payton Award, which is presented annually to the top offensive player in the FCS, Larison’s skillset and versatility are why he’s been compared to New England’s skill players of the past. Larison’s size (6-0, 215 pounds) makes Burkhead (5-foot-10, 215) perhaps the best comparison over Faulk (5-foot-8, 202), Woodhead (5-foot-8, 204) and James White (5-foot-10, 205). But they all did — and do — it all.

“All those guys where you were like, ‘Who is this guy?’ No one knew who they were and and they just kind of go out and get it done,” Plough said. “He’s going to be your steady back that can play on all three downs, that can catch the ball out of the backfield, that could be great in pass protection, that’s going to help you on special teams. He’ll be as smart as the quarterbacks. And he’ll be a guy that you don’t want to lose.”

Larison’s pass-catching ability, which was on display with some of his one-handed catches at UC Davis, is one aspect of his game that’s already ready for the next level, Plough believes. Another is a product of his special teams play. Larison was an All-American kick returner as a freshman and led the Aggies in tackles on punt team his senior year. He could start on all four special teams units, Plough thinks.

As it relates to the aforementioned Patriots greats, only Faulk really could compare. He returned nearly 300 punts and kicks during his 13-year career. The others — Woodhead (28 returns), White (four) and Burkhead (one) — didn’t do so as much given their offensive responsibilities.

“When he gets more carries and just more reps at running back, I think the best version of him is still very much down the road,” Plough said. “But I think the things he does really well are good enough to hopefully keep him in the league while he gets better with those things.

“This couldn’t be a better fit,” Plough said.

Larison has an uphill battle, no doubt. The All-Big Sky Conference selection is at least fourth on the running back depth chart behind returning starter Rhamondre Stevenson, second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson and veteran Antonio Gibson. He’ll compete with others on special teams roles, too.

Maybe, though, Larison will carve out a role similar to other Patriots in the past.