{{short description|American football player (born 1973)}} {{good article}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox gridiron football biography |name=Josh LaRocca |image= |caption= |current_team= |number=7, 9<ref name="pfa">{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/l/laro00230.html#gsc.tab=0 | title=Josh LaRocca | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=April 23, 2026}}</ref> |position=qb |birth_date={{birth date and age|1973|3|9}} |birth_place= |death_date= |death_place= |height_ft=6 |height_in=2 |weight_lbs=215 |high_school=Tom C. Clark {{nowrap|(San Antonio, Texas)}} |college=Rice (1991–1995) |undraftedyear=1996 |pastteams= * Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|1996|1998}})* * → Rhein Fire (1997) * → England Monarchs (1998) * Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|1998}})* * Houston Outlaws (1999) |highlights= }} '''Josh LaRocca''' (born March 9, 1973) is an American former football player. A quarterback, he played college football for the Rice Owls from 1991 to 1995, starting games in four of those seasons. In 1994, he helped Rice break a 28-game losing streak against the Texas Longhorns. After going unselected in the 1996 NFL draft, he was signed and released by the Denver Broncos in three straight offseasons from 1996 to 1998. LaRocca played two years in NFL Europe; in 1997 as a backup for the Rhein Fire and in 1998 as the starter for the England Monarchs. He spent the 1998 preseason with the Dallas Cowboys. LaRocca ended his football career by leading the Houston Outlaws of the Regional Football League (RFL) to the league title game. He worked in real estate after his football career.
==Early life== Josh LaRocca was born on March 9, 1973.<ref name="pfa"/> He played high school football at Tom C. Clark High School in San Antonio, Texas, as an option quarterback.<ref name="pfa"/> He was a two-year starter, and was only the second player in school history to be the starting quarterback for more than a season.<ref name="Gernander">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-antonio-light/196536532/ | title=Clark's LaRocca verbally commits to Rice | work=San Antonio Light | date=January 14, 1991 | accessdate=April 29, 2026 | author=Gernander, Jerry | page=D3}}</ref> LaRocca helped Clark High reach the regional semifinals as a junior in 1989 while throwing for 874 yards and ten touchdowns.<ref name="Gernander"/> He earned all-city honors in 1990 after passing for 1,194 yards, 14 touchdowns, and three interceptions while leading the team to the area round of the postseason.<ref name="Gernander"/> In January 1991, he committed to Rice University to play college football for the Rice Owls.<ref name="Gernander"/> He had also planned visits to Texas Tech and Navy but cancelled those trips after committing to Rice.<ref name="Gernander"/> LaRocca played baseball in high school as a second baseman, and was named first-team all-district as a senior.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-antonio-light/196536739/ | title=1991 All-District Teams | work=San Antonio Light | date=June 16, 1991 | accessdate=April 29, 2026 | page=C13}}</ref> He graduated from Clark High in 1991.<ref name="Harter"/>
==College career== As a true freshman, the Owls were considering redshirting LaRocca.<ref name="Bachert"/> However, before the start of the 1991 season, he earned the second-string quarterback job over Randall Schultz.<ref name="Bachert">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-houston-post/196136308/ | title=Is LaRocca the answer for Owls? | work=Houston Post | date=October 6, 1991 | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | author=Bachert, David | page=B10}}</ref> LaRocca began the season as the backup to Greg Willing but started four games later in the year after Willing was benched.<ref name="Brooks">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-beaumont-enterprise/196137709/ | title=Rice QB seeks encore in trip to Austin today | work=The Beaumont Enterprise | date=October 7, 1995 | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | author=Brooks, Kenton | page=3C}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-houston-chronicle/196136914/ | title=Reduced role wearing thin on Rice quarterback Willig | work=Houston Chronicle | date=November 15, 1991 | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | author=Stickney, W. H., Jr. | page=8B}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-houston-chronicle/196137174/ | title=LaRocca passes first test, laments loss to Aggies | work=Houston Chronicle | date=November 3, 1991 | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | author=Custred, Jayne | page=4B}}</ref> LaRocca appeared in nine games overall in 1991, completing 54 of 108 passes (50.0%) for 664 yards, four touchdowns, and nine interceptions while also rushing for 148 yards and five touchdowns.<ref name="sr">{{cite web | url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/josh-larocca-1.html | title=Josh LaRocca | publisher=Sports Reference | accessdate=April 23, 2026}}</ref>
LaRocca began the 1992 season as the starter but suffered a season-ending broken collarbone in the second game.<ref name="Brooks"/><ref name="struggle"/><ref name="non-winning"/><ref name="Crazy-legs"/> He took a medical redshirt and was replaced by Bert Emanuel at quarterback.<ref name="Brooks"/><ref name="struggle">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-houston-chronicle/196137072/ | title=Rice quarterbacks struggle | work=Houston Chronicle | date=September 8, 1992 | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | author=Stickney, W. H., Jr. | page=7B}}</ref><ref name="non-winning">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/longview-news-journal/196137102/ | title=Owls end streak of non-winning seasons in 1992 | work=Longview News-Journal | date=December 1, 1992 | agency=Associated Press | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | page=3B}}</ref><ref name="Crazy-legs">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/waco-tribune-herald/196137127/ | title=Crazy-legs Emanuel stokes Owls' hopes | work=Waco Tribune-Herald | date=November 14, 1992 | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | page=6D}}</ref> LaRocca served as the backup to Emanuel in 1993.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-houston-post/196137353/ | title=Goldsmith all smiles over winning ways | work=Houston Post | date=November 30, 1993 | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | author=Bachert, David | page=B3}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-houston-chronicle/196137386/ | title=Quarterbacks: SWC update | work=Houston Chronicle | date=December 19, 1993 | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | page=14B}}</ref> LaRocca played in nine games overall during the 1993 season, recording 35 completions on 56 passing attempts (62.5%) for 354 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions.<ref name="sr"/> He also scored a rushing touchdown.<ref name="sr"/>
In 1994, after the graduation of Emanuel, LaRocca took over as the primary starter.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-houston-chronicle/196137533/ | title=Open date allows Owls to prepare for SWC | work=Houston Chronicle | date=September 27, 1994 | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | page=8B}}</ref> New head coach Ken Hatfield converted LaRocca from a pocket passer to an option quarterback.<ref name="Harter"/> On October 16, 1994, in a nationally televised game on ESPN, LaRocca completed three of seven passes for 45 yards and two touchdowns to help Rice upset No. 12 Texas by a score of 19–17.<ref name="Farmer"/> This broke Rice's 28-game losing streak to Texas, and was Rice's first win against Texas since 1965.<ref name="Farmer">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-houston-chronicle/196141151/ | title=Hoot! There It Is | work=Houston Chronicle | date=October 17, 1994 | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | author=Farmer, Neal | pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-houston-chronicle/196141177/ 4C]}}</ref> Rice's 28-year losing streak against Texas was the second-longest active streak in Division I college football at the time among teams that played each other every year; only Navy's 30-year losing streak to Notre Dame was longer.<ref name="Farmer"/> LaRocca missed the final two games of the year due to injury.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/waco-tribune-herald/196137595/ | title=Rice routs Houston to share SWC title | work=Waco Tribune-Herald | date=November 27, 1994 | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | page=6C}}</ref> Overall in 1994, he completed 65 of 130 passes (50.0%) for 806 yards, 9 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while running for 323 yards and two touchdowns.<ref name="sr"/>
LaRocca returned as starter for the 1995 season, completing 59 of 118 passes (50.0%) for 807 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions.<ref name="Brooks"/><ref name="sr"/> On October 28, 1995, he suffered another season-ending injury.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-houston-chronicle/196137980/ | title=A&M | work=Houston Chronicle | date=November 10, 1995 | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | page=8B}}</ref> LaRocca finished his college career with totals of 230 completions on 450 attempts (51.1%) for 2,876 yards, 23 touchdowns, 25 interceptions, 704 rushing yards, and nine rushing touchdowns.<ref name="sr"/> He earned Academic All-Southwest Conference honors in both 1994 and 1995.<ref name="Avison"/> He graduated from Rice in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in political science.<ref name="Harter"/><ref name="Avison"/>
==Professional career== LaRocca went undrafted in the 1996 NFL draft. On July 10, 1996, he signed with the Denver Broncos.<ref name="pfa"/> However, he was only given a few reps at camp and was released soon after on July 23, 1996.<ref name="Harter"/><ref name="pfa"/> LaRocca re-signed with the Broncos on January 21, 1997.<ref name="Harter">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-antonio-express-news/196138747/ | title=Time runs short for LaRocca's NFL dream | work=San Antonio Express-News | date=June 7, 1998 | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | author=Harter, Gage | page=6C}}</ref> In February 1997, the Broncos allocated him to the World League of American Football (WLAF) to play for the Rhein Fire.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/peninsula-daily-news/196138228/ | title=World League Allocation | work=Peninsula Daily News | date=February 20, 1997 | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | page=B2}}</ref> LaRocca served as the backup to T. J. Rubley during the 1997 WLAF season.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-antonio-express-news/196138408/ | title=Homesickness no worry for ex-San Antonio trio | work=San Antonio Express-News | date=June 22, 1997 | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | author=Griffin, Tim | page=7C}}</ref> LaRocca was released by Denver on May 8, 1997, but stayed on as a member of the Fire.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/196138571/ | title=Transactions | work=Los Angeles Times | date=May 9, 1997 | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | page=C21}}</ref><ref name="pfa"/><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune/196138603/ | title=Two former Pokes in World Bowl '97 | work=Casper Star-Tribune | date=June 19, 1997 | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | page=D1}}</ref> Overall in 1997, he completed 16 of 31 passes (51.6%) for 235 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions in 1997 as the Fire advanced to World Bowl '97.<ref name="pfa"/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1997wlafrhe.html#gsc.tab=0 | title=1997 Rhein Fire (WLAF) | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=April 23, 2026}}</ref> Afterward, LaRocca started working for a real estate company.<ref name="Harter"/>
On February 19, 1998, LaRocca signed with the Broncos for the third time.<ref name="Harter"/> He was allocated to NFL Europe to play for the England Monarchs. He began the 1998 NFL Europe season as the backup to Wally Richardson, but took over as starter after Richardson was benched during the first game.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/american-football-monarchs-back-in-same-old-muddle-1154792.html | title=American football: Monarchs back in same old muddle | work=The Independent | date=April 6, 1998 | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | author=Halling, Nick}}</ref><ref name="Price"/> LaRocca was released by the Broncos on May 28, 1998, but stayed with the Monarchs.<ref name="Harter"/> He played in all ten games, starting nine, for the Monarchs, completing 122 of 257 passes (47.5%) for 1,641 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while also rushing for 77 yards.<ref name="pfa"/><ref name="Harter"/><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent/196139094/ | title=Monarchs finish with a flourish | work=The Independent | date=June 8, 1998 | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | author=Halling, Nick}}</ref> England finished the year with a 3–7 record.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1998nfleeng.html#gsc.tab=0 | title=1998 England Monarchs (NFLE) | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=April 23, 2026}}</ref> LaRocca made less than $20,000 for his season with the Monarchs.<ref name="Harter"/> LaRocca returned to his real estate job after the NFL Europe season ended.<ref name="Price">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-antonio-express-news/196139804/ | title=LaRocca one of the 'Boys | work=San Antonio Express-News | date=July 28, 1998 | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | author=Price, Tim | pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-antonio-express-news/196143059/ 3C]}}</ref>
LaRocca signed with the Dallas Cowboys on July 27, 1998, after the team released quarterback Max Knake.<ref name="Russell">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-record-news/196139677/ | title=First cut brings in another quarterback for the 'Boys | work=Times Record News | date=July 28, 1998 | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | author=Russell, J. Scott | page=8D}}</ref> Cowboys head coach Chan Gailey said, "Josh LaRocca is a guy that our scouts had followed very closely through the last few years. We felt good about him and he was available and we felt like he was a guy we wanted to take a look at this time. We felt like we needed to make a change and look at somebody else."<ref name="Russell"/> LaRocca competed with Dan Gonzalez for the Cowboys' third-string quarterback job.<ref name="Price"/> LaRocca was released on August 24, 1998.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/journal-tribune/196140191/ | title=Transactions | work=Journal Tribune | date=August 25, 1998 | agency=Associated Press | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | page=12}}</ref>
LaRocca was the starting quarterback for the Houston Outlaws of the Regional Football League (RFL) in 1999.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-houston-chronicle/196140487/ | title=Outlaws make home debut tonight | work=Houston Chronicle | date=May 15, 1999 | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | author=Dean, Richard | page=2B}}</ref><ref name="Warner"/> He led the team to the first (and only) RFL Bowl, where they lost to the Mobile Admirals by a score of 14–12.<ref name="Warner">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-mississippi-press/196140530/ | title=RFL hopes it's not time for R.I.P. | work=The Mississippi Press | date=June 22, 1999 | accessdate=April 23, 2026 | author=Warner, Thomas | page=B1}}</ref><ref name="Almanac">{{cite book | url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Texas_Almanac_2012_2013/rlxFHFdF3_gC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Regional+Football+League%22+folds+1999&pg=PT389&printsec=frontcover | title=Texas Almanac 2012–2013 | publisher=Texas State Historical Association | year=2011}}</ref> The RFL folded after the season.<ref name="Almanac"/>
==Personal life== After his football career, LaRocca continued to work in real estate.<ref name="Avison">{{cite news | url=https://www.avisonyoung.us/w/josh-larocca | title=Josh LaRocca | work=Avison Young | accessdate=April 23, 2026}}</ref> He has worked as a managing director with Studley, Inc., a managing partner at Mohr Partners, and a principal with Avison Young.<ref name="Avison"/> He also co-founded Blackstone Partners.<ref name="Avison"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Rice Owls quarterback navbox}} {{London Monarchs quarterback navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:LaRocca, Josh}} Category:Living people Category:1973 births Category:American football quarterbacks Category:Rice Owls football players Category:Denver Broncos players Category:Rhein Fire players Category:London Monarchs players Category:Dallas Cowboys players Category:Regional Football League players Category:Players of American football from San Antonio