In an interview last August on collegefootballnews.com, Maroney's coach at Minnesota, Glen Mason, said, "We’ve had the luxury of having some great backs at Minnesota over the last several years. Laurence is bigger, faster, and stronger than all of them with the exception, as far as strength, as Darrell Thompson and Marion Barber the second, not the third. The one big difference is his speed. Great breakaway speed."

Mason on Maroney's physical development: "He has done a pretty good job so far. He has worked hard to get stronger, and it’s noticeable. He’s a big human being. He came to us as a guy who was on the slim side, but he was pretty well put together. He’s not slim anymore."

Said Minnesota center Greg Eslinger of Maroney: "He’s a unique back with a unique style. If you give Laurence a crack of daylight, he’s gone. You know in the back of your mind that if you just give him a little bit of room, you’ve got a chance for a huge play. Not many backs can do that."