River Cracraft celebrates his 2023 TD at SoFi against the Chargers. (Photo: Getty/How)
PULLMAN -- One of Washington State's receiving greats is back in the Evergreen State. The Seattle Seahawks announced Friday on Twitter they've signed wide receiver River Cracraft.
Cracraft starred at WSU from 2013-16, a tough-as-nails slot receiver and favorite target of Luke Falk. In 41 games for the Cougars, Cracraft racked up 218 receptions -- second-most in school history and No. 16 all-time in the Pac-12 -- to go along with 20 TDs.
A crimson grabmaster who made the unlikely catch routine, his sterling Wazzu career numbers take on new meaning considering he missed a whopping nine starts to injury. Cracraft's Wazzu career ended abruptly when the 6-0, 198-pound product of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., tore his ACL against Cal his senior season. But he's been bucking the NFL odds ever since.
His mother, Tracy, also known as "Mama Cracraft," has long been a fan favorite of Cougar Nation too.
"We're so fired up to have River and his family back in the state of Washington!" Tracy tells Cougfan.com. "It was always a dream for River to play for the Seattle Seahawks! We'll be at the games and looking forward to becoming a full-fledged "12" ns I'm already practicing my 'SEA-HAWWWWWKS' chant!
"And Go Cougs! We'll be at the first game of the season when the Cougs play University of Idaho at home -- sitting in the visitor section this time -- to cheer on Skyler in his new coaching job. Can't wait! West Coast is the Best Coast!"
WITH A COMPLETE makeover to the Seahawks' wide receivers unit this offseason, Cracraft will have an opportunity to play an important role. Seattle released franchise great Tyler Lockett and traded star DK Metcalf to Pittsburgh.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba would figure to be Seattle's No. 1 wideout, with Yakima native Cooper Kupp, another Seahawks signing this offseason, as the No. But Cracraft will likely battle for the No. 3 spot with fellow free agent signee Marquez Valdes-Scantling and former UCLA Bruin Jake Bobo.
Plus, Cracraft and Valdes-Scantling offer a study in contrasts the Seahawks might try to exploit. Valdes-Scantling is a home run threat, while Cracraft profiles as a sure-handed possession receiver and chain mover, and he's become a solid NFL blocker.
Cracraft also has familiarity with Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak, who was an offensive assistant in Denver while Cracraft played for the Broncos.
One other wrinkle could be in the return game. Cracraft hasn't returned punts in a few years, but the Seahawks are in need of a punt returner after not bringing back last year's return man in Jaelon Darden.
CRACRAFT, 30, WILL ENTER his eighth NFL season with the Hawks. He has previously made stops in Denver, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Miami. He's played in 53 NFL games with two starts, hauling in 32 career receptions for 374 yards and three TDs.
The Broncos first signed him to the practice squad in October 2017 and then to a futures contract after the season. Cracraft spent the next two years in Denver, recording his first career reception in 2018. Cracraft in '19 landed on the Eagles' practice squad late in the season, but was waived the following April. He then signed with the 49ers and appeared in 15 games over two years with San Francisco.
After being waived in January 2022, it felt as if the NFL dream could be running out for the then 27-year old. But always the picture of perseverance, he caught on with Miami a couple weeks later.
From the practice squad, Cracraft slowly carved out a role and proceeded to appear in 29 games over three years with the Dolphins, working both as a wide receiver and on special teams. Cracraft recorded 25 catches for 289 hashes and three TDs during his time with the Dolphins, despite battling a number of nagging injuries.
NOTABLE: Cracraft married his college sweetheart, Taylor, in 2022. The couple welcomed a daughter, Palmer, in 2024. Cracraft's older brother, Skyler, walked on at WSU (2014-15) at safety to play alongside River and later was a writer for Cougfan.com.
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