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Fully healthy River Cracraft returns to Pullman for Washington State-Boise State game

In this Oct 3, 2014 file photo, WSU receiver River Cracraft hauls in a touchdown pass against Cal during the second half of a college football game at Martin Stadium in Pullman. (Tyler Tjomsland / The Spokesman-Review)
By Theo Lawson theol@spokesman.com(509) 459-5584

PULLMAN – This time last year, River Cracraft probably didn’t imagine he’d be in Pullman on the eve of opening day in the NFL.

Given Cracraft’s unfortunate circumstances, Martin Stadium isn’t a bad consolation.

Cracraft, the former Washington State receiver who saw his college career come to a succint end after sustaining an ACL tear in a 2016 game against California, returned to the sidelines at Washington State on Saturday to watch the Cougars play Boise State.

A career in the NFL could still be on the horizon for Cracraft, who told KREM 2’s Darnay Tripp he’s back at full strength and is now beginning to comb through his options.

“I’m ready to go,” Cracraft said in an interview with Tripp before Saturday’s game. “I’m just starting to reach out to people, letting them know I’m ready, I’m healthy, but I’ve been grinding. I’m in there every day working out hard, getting this knee right. It’s a tough injury, lots of people have come back from it, though. … I’m looking forward to what’s coming and I don’t really know what that is, so it’s going to be a fun ride. ”

Cracraft has been able to stay sharp by training with current pros – Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and New England Patriots receiver Julian Edelman among them.

“Just the professionalism they come with every day is spectacular,” Cracraft said. Certainly something he can glean from his workout partners as he tries to forge his own path.

Before Cracraft’s senior season came to an end, the Santa Margarita, California, native caught 53 passes for 701 yards and moved to second all-time at WSU with 218 career catches. Only teammate Gabe Marks (316) has more.

This season the Cougars are tasked with replacing both, but Cracraft says it won’t be as hard as it looks.

“There’s a lot of talented receivers in this group,” Cracraft said. “I don’t think replacing Gabe and I will be very hard. I think with the comfortness of Luke, he just needs to adjust and e’s had a year to do it at this point.”