About Laird: Local product from nearby Monroe, N.Y. ... earned first varsity letter in 2011 ... physical presence on the perimeter ... Army's top blocking receiver ... enters preseason practice as the starter at one wide receiver position.
2011: Played in all 12 games ... utilized as a reserve receiver and special teams ace ... caught one pass for 14 yards ... made collegiate debut in the opener at Northern Illinois ... recorded first career reception at Miami (Ohio).
2010: Did not appear in a varsity contest.
High School: Two-time letterwinner in football at Monroe-Woodbury High School ... played both wide receiver and kicker ... named fourth-team all-state as a kicker in 2009 ... earned first-team All-Section IX honors as both receiver and kicker after final season ... caught 34 passes for 785 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2009 ... hauled in 10 passes for three touchdowns in 2008 ... tied state AA record with 64 extra points, including 47 straight to start season, during senior season ... led section IX with 127 points ... helped team to pair of Section IX championships ... Crusaders advanced to state title game in 2008 ... state quarterfinalists in 2009 ... played in inaugural Upstate/Downstate All-Star Game as wide receiver ... made four catches for 77 yards and scored game's first touchdown ... also lettered twice in basketball ... captained squad in final campaign ... played Gaelic football ... captained St. Brendan's Gaelic Football club (Central Valley, N.Y.) in 2008 ... traveled to Wicklow, Ireland with New York All-Star Team in 2006 ... led squad to All-Ireland championship ... named St. Brendan's Player of the Year in 2006 ... New York State Scholar Athlete ... served as vice president of National Honor Society.
Personal: Given name is Patrick Andrus Laird ... born at West Point ... parents' names are Randall and Jacqueline Laird ... both parents served as commissioned offisers in U.S. Army ... patenral grandfather retired from U.S. Army with rank of lieutenant colonel ... mother, Jacqueline, was member of Academy faculty in Department of Physical Education ... both father and paternal grandfather were "Ranger" qualified ... older brother, Alexander, is soccer standout at St. Lawrence University ... majoring in Management.
