River Cracraft prepares for pros with guidance from other Mike Leach-coached receivers

River Cracraft caught more than 200 passes at Washington State, and soon he may join the ranks of Mike Leach-coached receivers to use their copious experience catching footballs to make a career at it in the NFL.

The NFL draft is not for a couple more weeks, but the fraternity of former Air Raid pass-catchers has already welcomed Cracraft. The Rancho Santa Margarita, California, native joined the Danny, Dave and Moore show on 710 ESPN Seattle on Friday afternoon and told the hosts he’s been getting advice from some of the star receivers Leach coached in his days at Texas Tech.

“Actually, Coach Leach kind of set that whole thing up. Danny Amendola reach out to me, which was awesome,” Cracraft explained. “I’ve been able to talk to some guys like Danny and Michael Crabtree, and worked out with Julian Edelman, which was awesome.”

Cracraft said he worked out with Russell Wilson earlier this week, running routes and going through the Seattle QB’s offseason routine. Cracraft told the radio hosts that working out with NFL players such as Robert Woods and Edelman have influenced his game, and showed him what it takes to succeed at the next level.

“It’s awesome to watch those guys and watch how they go about working out,” Cracraft said. “How precise everything is and everything’s got a purpose. Kind of taking that next step as a receiver: You don’t just go out and run routes anymore. Everything’s got to have a purpose.”

Cracraft said he is “almost all the way back” from the ACL tear that ended his senior season. In recent days he has posted videos on his social media accounts showing him perform progressively more athletic feats.

Cracraft said that his agent has told him that he’s in an unpredictable position, and to hope to get drafted but be prepared to sign with a team as a free agent.

“I’m happy to help out wherever I can, as long as it’s an offense that people can use me. Wherever I’m playing, I don’t really care. I’m just looking for that opportunity, whether it comes in the draft or after. Whatever it may be, I’m just looking forward to the process.”

Co-host Jim Moore, the “Go 2 Guy”, is a WSU alum and an outspoken fan of both the Cougars and Huskies. He wrapped up the interview telling Cracraft that the Moore family was naming its new golden retriever “River.”