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 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]
