Patrick Laird


Patrick Michael Laird is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of California, Berkeley.

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.

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. In his second year of eligibility in 2016, he received second-team Pac-12 All-Academic honors.

2017 season

As a junior in 2017, he played in 11 games and rushed 191 times for 1,127 yards and 8 touchdowns. He is the sixteenth player in Cal history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season. Laird's 214 yards rushing against Oregon State in 2017 ranks tenth in program history for rushing yards in a single game.
He received first-team Pac-12 All-Academic honors, All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention, 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.

2018 season

As a senior in 2018, he played in 11 games and rushed 197 times for 816 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Laird was a Finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy and the Senior CLASS Award. He was also named a semi-finalist for the Campbell Trophy.
While at California, Laird began a summer reading program, inspiring over 1,000 elementary school students to read at least four books a summer.

Statistics

Professional career

Laird went undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, and signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent.
Laird gained the nickname "The Intern" after being confused to be an intern during training camp.
Laird scored his first career touchdown in a 37–31 upset over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13. Overall, Laird finished the 2019 season with 62 carries for 168 yards and one touchdown to go along with 23 receptions for 204 yards.