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Antonio Gibson’s NFL journey has hit some serious speed bumps after what looked like a career ready for takeoff. The Patriots running back burst onto the scene as a rookie sensation with Washington back in 2020, but the road since then hasn’t been kind to the once-promising talent.
His spot on New England’s roster is now hanging in the balance. The Patriots’ signing of undrafted free agent Lan Larison from UC Davis signals their intention to shake up the backfield this offseason. Gibson could find himself on the outside looking in while Larison – armed with a versatile skill set – has a legitimate shot at claiming a spot on the final depth chart.
Gibson’s roster spot under threat from UC Davis standout Larison
Larison’s college production jumps off the page. The fifth-year senior racked up 2,312 yards from scrimmage and found the end zone 23 times last season (1,465 rushing yards with 17 TDs and 847 receiving yards with 6 TDs). He even showed off his arm, completing 5 of 7 passes for 45 yards. His multi-faceted game has NFL.com comparing him to Saints’ do-it-all weapon Taysom Hill.
What makes Larison particularly intriguing is his potential to take over Gibson’s special teams responsibilities. While he wasn’t returning kicks during his final two years at UC Davis (when he became their offensive centerpiece), he logged over 1,000 combined kick return yards between 2021 and 2022. It’s a skill set the Patriots’ front office clearly valued when bringing him in.
Ball security might be the most glaring difference between these two backs.
Larison never fumbled once during his entire college career. Let that sink in. Gibson, meanwhile, has put the ball on the ground 14 times during his NFL tenure. When you’re fighting for limited touches in a crowded backfield, protecting the football becomes absolutely crucial.
The biggest question mark surrounding Larison is the competition level he faced in the FCS. But the numbers suggest he wasn’t just good against lesser competition – he was dominant. His 2,387 all-purpose yards last season set a UC Davis single-season record, and his career total of 6,504 yards stands as the school’s all-time mark. The AP recognized his dominance with FCS All-American honors.
Rhamondre Stevenson and second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson will likely command the lion’s share of work in New England’s backfield. However, with new head coach Mike Vrabel’s well-documented preference for ground-and-pound football, there could be carries available for a third back – whether that’s Gibson or the versatile rookie from UC Davis.
