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Patrick Laird

Patrick Michael Laird (born August 17, 1995) is an American football running back who is a free agent. He played college football at California.

Early years

Laird attended Mission College Preparatory High School in San Luis Obispo, California. As a senior, he rushed for 3,117 yards and 32 touchdowns on 408 carries for an average of 7.6 yards per rush.[1]

College career

Laird began his college career for the California Golden Bears in 2014 as a walk-on. He redshirted his second year at California in 2015.[2] In his second year of eligibility in 2016, he received second-team Pac-12 Conference All-Academic honors.[3]

2017 season

As a junior in 2017, he played in 11 games and rushed 191 times for 1,127 yards and 8 touchdowns.[2] He is the sixteenth player in Cal history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season.[4] Laird's 214 yards rushing against Oregon State in 2017 ranks tenth in program history for rushing yards in a single game.[5]

He received first-team Pac-12 All-Academic honors,[6] All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention,[7] and was named a semifinalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded annually to the nation’s most outstanding college football player who began his career as a walk-on.[8]

2018 season

As a senior in 2018, he played in 11 games and rushed 197 times for 816 yards and 5 touchdowns.[2]

Laird was a Finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy[9] and the Senior CLASS Award.[10] He was also named a semi-finalist for the Campbell Trophy.[11]

While at California, Laird began a summer reading program, inspiring over 1,000 elementary school students to read at least four books a summer.[12]

Statistics

Professional career

Miami Dolphins

Laird went undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, and signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent.[14][15]

Laird gained the nickname "The Intern" after he was mistaken for being an intern during training camp.[16]

Laird scored his first career touchdown in a 37–31 upset over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13.[17] Overall, Laird finished the 2019 season with 62 carries for 168 yards and one touchdown to go along with 23 receptions for 204 yards.[18]

On August 31, 2021, Laird was waived by the Dolphins and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[19] He was promoted to the active roster on October 30, 2021.[20] He was placed on injured reserve on December 8, 2021.[21]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On August 15, 2022, Laird signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[22] He was waived on August 30, 2022, and signed to the practice squad the next day.[23][24] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 17, 2023.[25]

On August 29, 2023, Laird was released by the Buccaneers and re-signed to the practice squad.[26][27] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 23, 2024, but was released on May 22.[28][29]

References

  1. ^ "This Mission Prep star spent 3 years as a walk-on at Cal. That finally changed last week". The Tribune.
  2. ^ a b c d "Football Roster: Patrick Laird". CalBears.com.
  3. ^ "Pac-12 Announces Football All-Academic Teams". Pac-12. November 29, 2016. Archived from the original on December 4, 2016.
  4. ^ "Cal-UCLA Postgame Notes". CalBears.com.
  5. ^ "Cal-Oregon State Postgame Notes". CalBears.com.
  6. ^ "Laird and Rubenzer First-Team Pac-12 All-Academic". CalBears.com. November 30, 2017.
  7. ^ "Pac-12 Football All-Conference Team Announced". Pac-12. December 5, 2017.
  8. ^ "Burlsworth Trophy Announces Nominees". BurlsworthTrophy.com. October 31, 2017. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  9. ^ "Patrick Laird Named Burlsworth Trophy Finalist". Cal Bears.com. Cal Athletics. November 13, 2018.
  10. ^ "Patrick Laird Selected Senior CLASS Award Finalist". CalBears.com. Cal Athletics. October 24, 2018.
  11. ^ "Patrick Laird Named Campbell Trophy Semifinalist". CalBears.com. Cal Athletics. September 26, 2018.
  12. ^ "How Cal's running back inspired kids to spend their summer reading". espn.com. ESPN. September 27, 2018.
  13. ^ "Patrick Laird, California, RB, 2019 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  14. ^ Dickman, Chance (April 27, 2019). "Cal RB Patrick Laird signs undrafted free agent deal with Dolphins". KSBY. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  15. ^ "Dolphins Sign 18 Undrafted College Free Agents". MiamiDolphins.com. May 9, 2019. Archived from the original on May 9, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
  16. ^ "The Intern: Rookie RB Patrick Laird Introduces Himself With Clutch Touchdown". www.miamidolphins.com. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  17. ^ Schad, Joe. ""The Intern" Patrick Laird scores Miami Dolphins' game-winning touchdown". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  18. ^ "Patrick Laird 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  19. ^ "Roster Moves: Dolphins Announce Roster Moves - August 31". MiamiDolphins.com. August 31, 2021.
  20. ^ "Roster Moves: Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves - Week 8". MiamiDolphins.com. October 30, 2021.
  21. ^ "Roster Moves: Dolphins Place RB Laird on Injured Reserve". MiamiDolphins.com. December 8, 2021.
  22. ^ "Buccaneers sign Patrick Laird". NBCSports.com. August 15, 2022.
  23. ^ Smith, Scott (August 30, 2022). "Tyler Johnson Among Cuts as Bucs Get to 53". Buccaneers.com.
  24. ^ Smith, Scott (August 31, 2022). "Bucs Start 2022 Practice Squad with 14 Returning Players". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  25. ^ Smith, Scott (January 17, 2023). "Bucs Re-Sign 13 Practice Squad Players for 2023". Buccaneers.com.
  26. ^ Smith, Scott (August 30, 2023). "Bucs Cut Down to 53 for Regular Season, Place Ryan Jensen on IR". Buccaneers.com.
  27. ^ Smith, Scott (August 31, 2023). "Bucs Fill Out Practice Squad with Patrick O'Connor, Patrick Laird". Buccaneers.com.
  28. ^ Smith, Scott (January 23, 2024). "Bucs Retain 14 Practice Squad Players with Futures Contracts". Buccaneers.com.
  29. ^ "Patrick Laird: Gets let go". CBSSports.com. May 22, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.