DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Browns News 4.0

It does seem to indicate they more know more about the Judkins situation than we do.

DL/FB…interesting. He seems like he’d fit that dual role. If he did it during preseason I missed it.

Love that!

Hope the kid does really well this year

Yep, we got our Unicorn through UDFA. We didn’t have to use #2 pick on him.

He was in the first offensive play of the game as a fullback. You were too busy watching pickleball

[NOTESNotes: Gage Larvadain’s unwavering confidence pays off with roster spotby Scott PetrakAugust 26, 2025

BEREA — As an undersized, undrafted rookie, receiver Gage Larvadain was a long shot to make the 53-man regular-season roster.

After beating the odds and surviving cutdown day, the 5-foot-8, 171-pounder was asked Tuesday at what point he thought he could make the team.

Browns cut Dustin Hopkins, Diontae Johnson, activate Mike Hall Jr. as they set initial 53-man roster

“The day I showed up,” Larvadain said. “Because I know what I’m capable of and I focus on being the best version of myself and being consistent every day. When you walk into a building like this, a bunch of hungry dawgs literally, I fit right in.”

ADVERTISEMENT
He said that belief “never wavered. It was rewarded, as he was one of six receivers, 12 rookies and six undrafted rookies to make the cut for the Browns.

“I would be lying if I said I didn’t sweat it out,” he said. “But the truth is, I showed up every day and tried my hardest and that’s all I can give to you. And so if that’s not enough, if that wasn’t enough. Fortunately, it worked out.”

Larvadain had just finished practice, which started before the official deadline to get down to 53 players, and said he hadn’t told his family or friends.

“I’m going to go back to my phone and let ’em know,” he said. “It was kind of weird, I never actually was told, ‘oh, you’re on the team.’ I just showed up today and they didn’t say, ‘you’re not on the team.’ So I guess I’m on the team, so I’ll go enjoy it when I get back in.”

He called the feeling “surreal” and a “dream come true.” He finished his college career at South Carolina after stops at Southeastern Louisiana and Miami (Ohio) and said he had only a couple of other offers after not being drafted.

“My journey is my journey, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed every moment of it. Obviously it’s a little easier to say now that we know I’ve made a team.”

Coach Kevin Stefanski said Larvadain is a great example of someone who isn’t highly touted but earns a spot.

“The beauty of this sport is that you get guys here and they make plays and you can watch a guy develop, and he’s somebody really from the jump that has made plays in every practice, in every game,” Stefanski said. “We’re excited for him. He’s a quiet kid, works very, very, very hard, diligent about getting better. Those are the type of kids that you’re rooting for.”

Larvadain said the work is only getting started.

“Just continue to prove to myself and then give them a reason to keep me around,” he said. “And then prove to the other 31 teams that they made a mistake.

“This is a checkpoint in the journey for me. This isn’t enough for me. I’m not satisfied with this at all. I want to be out there giving my all, just being a good teammate, but I want to be out there.”

QB DECISIONS

Stefanski confirmed what the Monday night trade of veteran quarterback Kenny Pickett made obvious.

“Dillon will be the backup,” he said.

Kenny Pickett traded to Raiders for 5th-round pick; Dillon Gabriel moves into No. 2 QB role

Joe Flacco was announced as the starter last week. Stefanski was going to decide between Pickett and Gabriel before the Raiders offered a 2026 fifth-round pick for Pickett.

“Those type of things, you can’t predict them and got a strong offer for Kenny,” Stefanski said.

Gabriel was a third-round pick and played well in his two preseason games, including the two-minute touchdown drive Saturday. The Browns trust him enough to be a play away from replacing Flacco.

“You factor in everything, truly,” Stefanski said. “You look at it from a bunch of different angles, so certainly we made the decision and feel comfortable with Dillon serving that role.”

Larvadain worked with Gabriel throughout the offseason and preseason.

“Great teammate, great person,” he said. “And then when you go to football, super poised, super confident in himself, which is super important.

“That two-minute situation, it was great execution by him.”

Pickett opened camp in close competition with Flacco, but a hamstring injury July 26 kept him out of the preseason and team drills.

“Definitely disappointed for Kenny in that he was out for all that time,” Stefanski said. “He performed well prior to that, remained engaged all throughout that. So disappointed for him.

“Kenny’s a guy I think very highly of and so do (the Raiders). I wish him well. He’s a great person, he’s a really good football player, but those are the type of decisions that you have to make.”

INJURY REPORT

Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward (shoulder) and receiver Cedric Tillman (thumb) returned to practice after being injured last week and missing time.

** Center Ethan Pocic (knee), defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (knee) and tight end Blake Whiteheart (knee) weren’t on the field during the portion of practice open to the media.

** Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (undisclosed injury) and tackle Cornelius Lucas (ankle) continued to work on the side.

EXTRA POINTS

Stefanski said the Browns would add a running back to the 53-man roster. They kept Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson on the initial 53.

** Stefanski said “we’ll see” when asked if Sampson would be the Week 1 starter.

“I like the group we got,” he said.

** Stefanski said a kicker may be signed to the practice squad. Andre Szmyt, who won the job over veteran Dustin Hopkins, has never kicked in a regular-season game.

social:tweet]NOTESNotes: Gage Larvadain’s unwavering confidence pays off with roster spotby Scott PetrakAugust 26, 2025 BEREA — As an undersized, undrafted rookie, receiver Gage Larvadain was a long shot to make the 53-man regular-season roster. After beating the odds and surviving cutdown day, the 5-foot-8, 171-pounder was asked Tuesday at what point he thought he could make the team. Browns cut Dustin Hopkins, Diontae Johnson, activate Mike Hall Jr. as they set initial 53-man roster “The day I showed up,” Larvadain said. “Because I know what I’m capable of and I focus on being the best version of myself and being consistent every day. When you walk into a building like this, a bunch of hungry dawgs literally, I fit right in.” ADVERTISEMENT He said that belief “never wavered. It was rewarded, as he was one of six receivers, 12 rookies and six undrafted rookies to make the cut for the Browns. “I would be lying if I said I didn’t sweat it out,” he said. “But the truth is, I showed up every day and tried my hardest and that’s all I can give to you. And so if that’s not enough, if that wasn’t enough. Fortunately, it worked out.” Larvadain had just finished practice, which started before the official deadline to get down to 53 players, and said he hadn’t told his family or friends. “I’m going to go back to my phone and let ’em know,” he said. “It was kind of weird, I never actually was told, ‘oh, you’re on the team.’ I just showed up today and they didn’t say, ‘you’re not on the team.’ So I guess I’m on the team, so I’ll go enjoy it when I get back in.” He called the feeling “surreal” and a “dream come true.” He finished his college career at South Carolina after stops at Southeastern Louisiana and Miami (Ohio) and said he had only a couple of other offers after not being drafted. “My journey is my journey, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed every moment of it. Obviously it’s a little easier to say now that we know I’ve made a team.” Coach Kevin Stefanski said Larvadain is a great example of someone who isn’t highly touted but earns a spot. “The beauty of this sport is that you get guys here and they make plays and you can watch a guy develop, and he’s somebody really from the jump that has made plays in every practice, in every game,” Stefanski said. “We’re excited for him. He’s a quiet kid, works very, very, very hard, diligent about getting better. Those are the type of kids that you’re rooting for.” Larvadain said the work is only getting started. “Just continue to prove to myself and then give them a reason to keep me around,” he said. “And then prove to the other 31 teams that they made a mistake. “This is a checkpoint in the journey for me. This isn’t enough for me. I’m not satisfied with this at all. I want to be out there giving my all, just being a good teammate, but I want to be out there.” QB DECISIONS Stefanski confirmed what the Monday night trade of veteran quarterback Kenny Pickett made obvious. “Dillon will be the backup,” he said. Kenny Pickett traded to Raiders for 5th-round pick; Dillon Gabriel moves into No. 2 QB role Joe Flacco was announced as the starter last week. Stefanski was going to decide between Pickett and Gabriel before the Raiders offered a 2026 fifth-round pick for Pickett. “Those type of things, you can’t predict them and got a strong offer for Kenny,” Stefanski said. Gabriel was a third-round pick and played well in his two preseason games, including the two-minute touchdown drive Saturday. The Browns trust him enough to be a play away from replacing Flacco. “You factor in everything, truly,” Stefanski said. “You look at it from a bunch of different angles, so certainly we made the decision and feel comfortable with Dillon serving that role.” Larvadain worked with Gabriel throughout the offseason and preseason. “Great teammate, great person,” he said. “And then when you go to football, super poised, super confident in himself, which is super important. “That two-minute situation, it was great execution by him.” Pickett opened camp in close competition with Flacco, but a hamstring injury July 26 kept him out of the preseason and team drills. “Definitely disappointed for Kenny in that he was out for all that time,” Stefanski said. “He performed well prior to that, remained engaged all throughout that. So disappointed for him. “Kenny’s a guy I think very highly of and so do (the Raiders). I wish him well. He’s a great person, he’s a really good football player, but those are the type of decisions that you have to make.” INJURY REPORT Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward (shoulder) and receiver Cedric Tillman (thumb) returned to practice after being injured last week and missing time. ** Center Ethan Pocic (knee), defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (knee) and tight end Blake Whiteheart (knee) weren’t on the field during the portion of practice open to the media. ** Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (undisclosed injury) and tackle Cornelius Lucas (ankle) continued to work on the side. EXTRA POINTS Stefanski said the Browns would add a running back to the 53-man roster. They kept Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson on the initial 53. ** Stefanski said “we’ll see” when asked if Sampson would be the Week 1 starter. “I like the group we got,” he said. ** Stefanski said a kicker may be signed to the practice squad. Andre Szmyt, who won the job over veteran Dustin Hopkins, has never kicked in a regular-season game. [/social]

Great story, UFA makes good.