2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Lucas Laroche, RB, Toledo

• Name: Lucas Laroche
• Position: RB
• College: Toledo / Ole Miss
• Height: 5’10
• Weight: 205 
• Twitter: lucaslarocheoff
• Instagram: luclar

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2026 NFL Draft? 

The knowledge of football I’ve gotten from one of the best programs in the nation, Ole Miss, along with playing for a solid team like Toledo, has already put me in a position that translates to the league. I think that, as a running back who can be signed as an IPP player, there really aren’t any other international RBs playing in the FBS, which makes me a top prospect at my position for the 2026 NFL Draft.

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

One thing NFL teams should know about me is that I’m not chasing the NFL for the money — I’m doing it because I love the game and want to keep pushing this elite journey at the highest level, helping my future team win a Super Bowl. I am also a true elite locker room player known for my legendary attitude and care for my teammates in any locker room I step into—from coaches to teammates to anyone connected to the organization, on and off the field. I know I’m French, but I do tips at restaurants!! Haha.

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

One of my goals after joining the league is to give back to the community in the city where my team is located. I have participated in numerous community service projects with the team in Oxford, MS, and Toledo, OH, and I want to do the same with my next team, with a deeper emphasis on creating a foundation that helps families by providing turkeys for Thanksgiving and gifts for Christmas. I also want to give back to my French community by offering some football camps in France and making a young athlete travel to the NFL team I am part of so he/she can see one of our practices and get some signed goodies, a memory that will last forever. 

Who was your role model? 

My role model is Kevin Smith, my former Ole Miss RB Coach. Watching his tape and learning a lot during position meetings about his time at UCF and with the Detroit Lions makes me want to be like him. The fact that his teaching already has some of my teammates, like Quinshon Judkins (Cleveland Browns) or Ulysses Bentley IV (Indianapolis Colts), signing contracts in the NFL, I’m like, why not me! I did not achieve the journey I wanted after transferring from Ole Miss to Toledo, but I do believe Coach Smith’s teaching will start paying off for me pretty soon! 

Who is your favorite NFL team?

Tricky question — sorry dawg, I ain’t falling for the trap. I want to make the league — whichever team picks me — I’m happy and blessed to be on it! 

Although I’m gonna give you some—at Ole Miss, Jaxson Dart was one of my best bros, so it would be an absolute blast to play for him and for the NY Giants. 

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school? 

I would say my boi Julian Allen (WR). He cooks spicy each practice, and no one gives him his flowers because he didn’t play a lot this year like me. I really think next year’s gonna be his breakout season! Love you cuzzo!!

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

Dawg that’s a funny question — shoo I would say being elite in all parts of my life and not get the chance to play — it’s making me annoyed to spend hours per day studying the tape, learn and check my plays, take care of my body, being elite in everything I do on and off the field and not get the opportunity. I feel so grateful because this year, watching my teammates play instead of me stressed my mind, forced me to be patient and keep chasing excellence, and reminded me that I still matter to this team and that the organization is bigger than me. All my actions on and off the field need to be purposeful for the team’s greatness and positive outcomes. I know ain’t going to get picked by an NFL team to be a starter, but I am pressing that goal so bad that I can still have a chance to play and help the team.

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

I’m gonna stay in football-related— I would say Coach Enrique Davis (former Ole Miss Assistant RB Coach). Coach Davis and I used to spend hours every day watching tape—it taught me so much about the game, from perfecting my footwork to being on point on the plays before the next practice day—perfecting my pass pro and helping me understand the tiny details of each rep. He used to call me around 8 PM to make sure I was ready for the next day—this sense of care and attention to detail was just elite; definitely my favorite teacher. I do believe Coach Davis and Coach Smith will coach in the NFL pretty soon.

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

Man, those two injuries I got made my mind so strong — same as Frank Gore in college — look at the career he did in the league tho!! I remembered I was traveling to Miami to work with Dr. Sharif Tabbah and Atlanta with Dr. Joel Seedman during the off-season to recover as elite as I possibly could. It made my mind so strong and reminded me to control only what I can control. It also reinforces the need to recover quickly and stay elite, because I went too far in this game and journey from France to give up. I recovered alongside guys like Stefon Diggs and Rashee Rice, so it was definitely fun recoveries.

If you could have any franchise restaurant in your house what would it be?

Bro, after I make the league first person, I’m hiring it’s a cooker. I’m so trash at cooking — I really love Smoothie King nowadays, but I’ll pick Longhorn Steakhouse because I’m a ribeye foodie, haha. 

What is your favorite snack food? 

Snack food—I gotta go with Welch’s Fruit Snacks — if it’s nap time, Cheribundi Tart Cherry Juice Pure, I’m outta here quick. 

What is your degree in? 

Master’s in Interdisciplinary Studies high focus on Art History— Love it! 

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

That’s a good one— I would say Caravaggio- it’s my favorite artist, kinda talk about why he is so provocative in his paintings. I would love to include Kobe Bryant in the dinner because I love everything that he represented on and off the court. Last one, I gotta pick Kevin Hart because that dinner’s gotta have funny vibes.

What is your biggest weakness?

Respectfully, of course, I have no weakness! Shoo—tough one, ahah. I would say mine is when I’m mad —you can see it on my face quickly—it’s hard for me to fake it LMFAOOO.