2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Patrick Lavoie, OL, Carleton University

• Name: Patrick Lavoie
• Position: OL
• College: Carleton University
• Height: 6’5
• Weight: 310
• Twitter: @patricklavoie65
• Instagram: patrick_lavoie65

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2024 NFL Draft? 

I carry my weight very well and I am very athletic for someone my size, my ability to adapt to situations, my technique and my nastiness on the field are all things that make me a top prospect.

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

I started playing football when I was 6 years old. I don’t come from a football family, but my parents enrolled me in the sport to try it out. And I immediately fell in love with the game.

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

I like to pride myself on my coachability and knowledge of the game. I am always looking to learn more about the position and always trying to better my technique and make myself the best possible.

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be? 

I’d donate to Save the Children which is an organization that work in multiple countries around the world to fight for children’s rights in countries where being a child is very difficult.

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

I was told by my mom early on that If I’m going to do something I better do it to the fullest. I live through this in everything I do. I started football so no matter how hard it got I never gave up the same goes for any project in life. It’s a waste of time to do something and not give it your all.

Who was your childhood hero? 

My dad, growing up poor from a small town in Quebec City, worked extremely hard for everything he has. Being the only one from his family to do a graduate degree. He completed a master’s at Laval university in economics with a perfect GPA and earned the governor general’s medal. He was also awarded a medal from the Queen for his accomplishments as the director general of finance Canada. Working 70+ hours a week, I’ve never seen someone so hard working and he has always been my role model.

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school? 

They are many players that deserve way more recognition on our team, but there is one player that stands out and only being in his second year at the program he hasn’t had his chance to shine but Zach Georges, his work ethic and leadership skills are exceptional. For example, our 7am practice got cancelled due to a snowstorm, this man still went there alone throwing the ball getting some work in. He is someone that leads by example and makes the whole team better. 

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

People who chew with the mouth open 

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome? 

As a child I had a lot of anger management issues and used to fight a lot. I was suspended for most of my first 3 years of elementary school. And was sent to specialized schools for children who struggle with violence. So, it was tough growing up where kids feared me, and parents wouldn’t want their child to hang out with me. It was a tough period, but it made me stronger.  

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

Carleton is special for me because, my mom, and two of my cousins are alumni’s and being part of this football team, I’ve made a second family that I will always be super grateful for. 

What is your favorite snack food?

My favorite snack food is candy, any type. 

What is the best part of football? 

The best part of football and the reason why I started playing it is because I can hit people without getting in trouble for it. 

If you could sell yourself in one sentence, what would you say? 

I am coachable and always willing and trying to get better and perfect my skills.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL,who would it be? 

Joe Thomas, His consistency was unmatched, I pride myself on being consistent and making sure that my QB knows that he can always count on me as his blindside and be comfortable in the pocket I have a lot of work to do to get to his level. But I work everyday to try and emulate his skills.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why? 

I’d be my grandfather Fernand Lavoie, my grandmother’s stepfather, and Kobe Bryant. I never got the chance to meet my dad’s father Fernand and I would’ve loved to get to know him as he is from my French side of the family, and I’ve never met any of them except my aunt and father. My Oma’s stepfather was someone who during World War 2 in Nazi Germany, managed to save my grandmother and her mother from the regime and run away to France where he fought for the army and immigrated to Canada once the war ended. I would love to hear his stories and get to know his mindset and what made him so brave. Lastly, I would love to talk to Kobe even though it’s a different sport his work ethic and drive was unmatched. Learning what motivated him and pushed him would be super interesting.