Folsom wide receiver Rob Larson celebrates with teammates after team won last year’s CIF Sac-Joaquin Section D1 championship over Oak Ridge of El Dorado Hills. Photo: Isai Gutierrez.
The school known for having prolific quarterbacks over the years also has had huge success with those who are catching the passes. This year’s WR leader for the Bulldogs, Rob Larson, will have the unique experience of catching balls from a big-time prospect one year ago in Ryder Lyons and this year will be doing the same with Brody Rudnicki. Here’s a profile of the UCLA commit who also will be part of one of the state’s top teams.
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From catching his first varsity pass as a sophomore to helping Folsom High capture a CIF Division 1-AA state championship this past season, Rob Larson has built his football career through consistency, hard work and a team-first mentality. After an All-State junior season and his commitment to UCLA as one of the top receivers in the Class of 2027, Larson has added his name to the long list of standout players to come through the Bulldogs’ football program.
Larson plays as if the receiver position on a football field is a craft that can constantly be improved upon. From running routes, building soft hands around the ball, winning contested one-on-one battles and studying defenses, Larson was expected to be a major threat coming into last season. In Folsom’s first game, a 51-13 win over Grant of Sacramento, Rob ran roughshod around the Pacers with nine catches for 170 yards and two TDs. He added eight for 105 and one score in a big win over Serra of San Mateo and even in the loss to Mission Viejo that eventually forced the Bulldogs from getting a shot at the CIF Open Division state final he had seven grabs for 46 yards and one TD.
For the season, Larson latched on to 82 catches for 1,146 yards and 18 TDs. In Folsom’s CIF NorCal D1-AA regional title game win vs Archbishop Riordan of San Francisco, he watched highly regarded teammate Ryder Lyons suffer an injury that forced him to the sidelines in the second half and for the entirety of the CIF D1-AA state final win vs Cathedral Catholic of San Diego other than a couple of plays. Junior QB Brody Rudnicki stepped in and there was little to no drop off for the passing game production.
With Rudnicki back this season and looking like the latest in a long line of Folsom QB standouts, Larson also looks like he’s poised to have a big 2026 campaign. We reached Rob for an interview to go with this profile.
Rob Larson runs off the field with Folsom teammates moments after last year’s team posted win at Serra of San Mateo. Photo: Mark Tennis.
A Love for the Game
Like many young athletes, Larson’s football dreams started at an early age. He first stepped onto the field in the third grade, but it wasn’t the touchdowns or the attention that made him fall in love with football. It was seeing firsthand what hard work could accomplish.
“I first started playing football in third grade,” Larson said. “I think what made me fall in love with it was seeing myself get better and watching hard work actually pay off on the field.”
That mindset is what has pushed Larson to outwork everyone throughout his football career.
Rather than chasing statistics or individual recognition, he has always focused on steady improvement. That mentality eventually helped turn a young athlete with Division I dreams into one of California’s best receivers for the Class of 2027.
Larson remembers first believing that college football could really become a reality while he was in the seventh grade. He dreamed big but quickly realized talent alone wouldn’t be enough. His success would come from the people around him and the work he was willing to put in every day. Although Larson credits many people for helping shape his career, one person stood above the rest.
“I’ve had a lot of huge influences in my journey, from my coaches at Folsom to my dad always pushing me and telling me to never quit,” he said. “But my biggest would have to be my trainer, Coach Lem (Lemuel Adams) from Game Fit. He has taught me so much about the game, but also about life itself.”
The Work Behind the Success
What everyone sees on Friday nights is only part of his preparation. During the football season, his days revolve around school, football and recovery. Larson explained, “During the season, Monday through Thursday we’ll have school and then at six we start football. We’ll usually lift, watch some film and then go on the field and practice. Once Friday comes, we’ll do a walk-through and then come back and get ready for the game.”
But the hard work doesn’t stop after the season ends.
“For summer practice at Folsom we go from noon to 4 p.m.,” Larson said. “We start off with a lift first, watch some film, and then go out on the field for about an hour and a half. I train at Game Fit once a week and I do upper-body weight training with someone two days a week on top of just doing it on my own.”
Larson believes that his dedication has helped him develop one of his biggest strengths in his game.
“I would say my hands and my ball skills are my biggest strengths because I can go up and get the ball no matter what,” he said. “I think I’m really good at coming down with the ball.”
Folsom receiver Rob Larson holds up two fingers to signify his team winning two CIF state titles in the past three seasons after last December’s victory over Cathedral Catholic of San Diego. Photo: Instagram.com.
Larson’s recruiting journey officially began during his freshman year when he received his first Division I offer.
“My first offer was UNLV, Coach Lem from Game Fit texted me while I was in class to call him ASAP,” he said. Since NCAA rules prevented him from speaking directly with college coaches at the time, Coach Lem shared the news himself. “It was freshman year so I couldn’t talk to the coach directly. Lem called me and told me they wanted to offer me. That was definitely one of my favorite moments and just a super special moment I’ll never forget,” he shared.
As more opportunities came his way, he eventually found what he was looking for was at UCLA.
Larson said UCLA stood out to him because of its culture and the relationships he built during the recruiting process. “I chose UCLA because of the culture and the people there, I love the new coaching staff, and I felt like I could really see myself fitting in with the people there.”
The decision became official following the Bruins’ Spring Game. “I knew I wanted to commit after the Spring Game. I committed on the field after the game, and it was just a cool experience overall.” In the future, Larson hopes to continue developing as both a player and a student once he arrives in Westwood. “I just want to continue working hard, help my team win football games and stay ahead in school.”
More Than Football
One of Larson’s favorite football memories came during his sophomore season. “My most memorable moment was probably my sophomore year, it was my first game on varsity against Long Beach Poly,” he said. “I caught a 40-yard go ball and it was my first catch as a varsity player.”
Away from football, Larson enjoys spending time with family and friends and describes himself as someone who likes to relax whenever he has free time. Athletics have always been a part of his family life as well. His father, Craig, played football, his mother, Melanie, competed in swimming and volleyball, and his sister, Jordyn, currently swims at Pepperdine University.
When asked how he hopes people will remember him, he answered, “I hope people remember me as humble, caring and always willing to help people.”
His advice to younger athletes reflects the same mindset that has guided his own journey from a third grader learning the game to one of California’s top receiving prospects.
“I just want people to know there isn’t really a secret, I get a lot of DMs asking what they need to do. All you have to do is keep your head down, put in the work and don’t complain. Good things will come your way.”
As Larson prepares for the final season of his high school career before heading to the next level, his journey remains built on one simple belief: keep your head down, put in the work, and let the results speak for themselves.
Isai Gutierrez started an internship at CalHiSports.com in January of 2025 and is a student studying communications at Cal State Stanislaus. He graduated from Modesto Junior College in May. He graduated in 2024 from Sierra High in Manteca.
