They say that the years you spend in college are the ones in which you grow the most, in almost every way, as you move from high school into adulthood. As part of that process, you can form relationships that will last long past graduation.
Ryan Cragun and Rory Starkey Jr., who’s better known as RJ, have developed that kind of bond.
It didn’t happen right away. As with many things in our respective journeys, it took time. They arrived at Penn at the same time, in 2018. They came from difference environments—Cragun from an hour south of Los Angeles, Starkey out of Atlanta. Cragun is white, Starkey is black. At some point, none of that mattered. They were two young wide receivers—Cragun on the outside, Starkey in the slot—just trying to find their place, both on the field and in the Wharton School, where each wanted to learn the necessary business skills to prepare them for their next step in the world. Two guys with pretty much the same aspirations for their time in West Philly.
And they’ve proceeded as best they can, pretty much together.
“It took awhile to become closer (with each other),” said Starkey. “But we were both in the same boat. We were on the scout team (as freshmen). A lot of people were telling us that we probably should have been moving up. We were building off each other. We fed off each other, even though we kind of played different positions. As we finally did get to do more, that’s when we really became better friends. We found out we have similar interests, even though he’s from (California) and I’m from the South.
“We’re both kind of laid back. There was never any conflicts. My sense was there was never any kind of competition going on between us. We were just two college students coming to another part of the country and trying to fit in on the field and off it.
“I remember my dad saying there was another receiver coming in from Cali, and he had watched the film and said he’s really good. My dad did his own research. When I got here and saw him, I was like, ‘Wow, this guy’s going to be an impactful player.’ Once we solidified ourselves, and knew we would have a bigger role with the team, we just wanted the same things.”
As sophomores they were two of the better receivers in the Ivy League. Then the Coronavirus pandemic hit, and like everyone else they had to put the football aspect of undergrad life on hold. But that only made them tighter.
“I think we’re both pretty lucky to have each other and be there for each other,” Cragun said. “We’re both happy when either of us does well. Because that’s going to help the team do well. And that’s what’s most important.
“We’ve definitely been through some things. You think you could be contributing more, but you have to stay realistic and stay positive. You can’t let it bother you. And it helps if you have someone to lean on, who’s going through the same thing. You have to be ready when you do get the chance. And we were. We pushed each other through the ups and downs. We had each other’s backs. We had that common ground. We could only control what we could control.”
This season, the Quakers have had to deal with some issues in finding a replacement at quarterback for Ryan Glover, who transferred during the offseason. At times the offense has struggled. To compound matters, Starkey suffered an ankle injury in the sixth game. Still, they both had more than 100 receiving yards in the season opener, then came within six yards of doing it again the next week. Starkey had a streak of seven straight games, going back to 2019, in which he had at least one touchdown catch. And even though his reception numbers are down from two years ago, he was still averaging some 40 yards per catch which seems borderline impossible. Cragun will finish in the top 10 all-time in several program career categories.
Cragun might not be done just yet. Or Starkey, for that matter. Because of the Covid protocols, both can return for another season if they choose to. Right now each is considering his options. It might even be a group decision.
Whatever happens, they’ve made their mark. If they do return for one more year, it would obviously make receivers coach Rick Ulrich’s job that much easier.
“They’re the kind of kids that if you tell them once, they’ll take care of it,” Ulrich stressed. “To be perfectly honest, I should have got them out there a little more their first year, to get them ready for the next year. They got thrown in (as sophomores), and they both ended up near the top of the league in receptions. They just welcomed the opportunity, and they really handled it well. And I think they’ve only continued to push themselves since then. Especially through the whole Covid situation.”
The future remains a blank canvas. Nobody has all the answers. Especially at 21. Yet while you’re trying to figure it all out, it helps to have someone you can count on, regardless. Just because. It’s called life. The best part is, they’re just beginning. And they don’t have to do it alone.
“I think we have the same kind of spirit,” Cragun explained. “We both want to be able to enjoy our time after football. We want to be successful in whatever fields we enter. We’ve definitely already had some good moments together. I will always see RJ as a brother. We’ve worked hard, put a lot into this. We’ve changed. That’s what’s supposed to happen. We’re not 18 any more. We’ve gained so much perspective. We’re going to face challenges. We’re both in similar spots right now. We’re going to have options. We just hope to make the most out of whatever opportunities come our way.
“We have different body types, we come from different places, and we weren’t taught the same way, but I think we’ve learned from each other and that’s made us better. In every situation, you just want to do what you can. Knowing him has made me more selfless. It’s made me a better person. As you get older, you try to hold onto moments more. When you’re young, you have a different outlook. Now it’s like, ‘Man, I might never get that one back.’ You realize things do come to an end.”
Maybe. But they’re confident their friendship will indeed only continue to grow.
“We have expectations, but we’re not rivals,” Starkey said. “We know what we’re capable of. We went from rising sophomores to being leaders of our group. It’s kind of crazy to see. Now we’re role models, which has brought us closer as well. I remember when we were the ones looking up to the older guys. I look at myself four years ago, it seems like 10 years ago.
“It’s easy to get down sometimes. But you can’t feel sorry for yourself. We’ve been through so much … I definitely see us being in contact for life. And I know that can take you in so many different directions. But we’ll stay connected. Maybe we’ll work in the same company or live in the same place. We could be neighbors. These days it’s not hard to keep in touch. I know the last year and half, (our friendship) has gone to a much deeper level. As you mature and get older, it’s just about life. I never want that to end.”
Sure sounds like a plan worth pursuing. Through anything that might come their way. It’s what makes the journey worth savoring.