STANFORD, Calif. – As a youngster, Jack Richardson attended countless Stanford football games with his mother and father. They were standout student-athletes on The Farm, Teresa (Smith) twice earning All-American honors in volleyball, while Kevin played linebacker (1984-89) and recorded a team-high 113 tackles in 1987.
Jack had the run of Chuck Taylor Grove and played touch football during home gamedays. But never in his wildest dreams did he imagine taking snaps as Stanford's quarterback.
"It's crazy," Richardson said. "I do pinch myself."
K.J. Costello is sidelined this spring while recovering from injury. Likewise for Davis Mills, a five-star recruit.
Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football David Shaw then turned to Richardson, a second-year walk-on from Palma High in Salinas, about 90 minutes south of the Stanford campus.
Richardson saw brief action against Rice last year in the season opener in Australia, but did not attempt a pass. But he threw plenty in the recently-completed first session of spring ball.
"To be in this position is such a huge opportunity to show my teammates and coaches what I'm capable of," said the 6-5, 205-pound Richardson, who passed for a school-record 4,300 yards and 29 touchdowns at Palma. "My short-term goal is to improve my game for the rest of spring. A long-term goal would be to make the travel squad. The coaches want me to contribute, I'm happy to do that."
By all accounts, Richardson has made a favorable impression. He has a strong arm, great work ethic, sound knowledge of the playbook, is calm, resilient, always prepared, competitive, and has shown good command in the huddle.
Richardson had Ivy League offers and could have walked on at Washington. But when Stanford reached out, it was a done deal. After all, his father proposed to his mother by hiring an airplane to carry a banner over Stanford Stadium during the 1991 Big Game.
"You always want guys to seize opportunities," said first-year Andrew Luck Director of Offense Tavita Pritchard. "Jack has done a phenomenal job. Of course he's made some mistakes, but he's done things that have been off-the-charts good. You still have to be able to come back and play the next play. I don't think the first part of spring could have gone any better."
The offense is also adjusting to new offensive line coach Kevin Carberry and wide receivers coach Bobby Kennedy.
"For him to be inserted in that role and still allow us to grow as a football team … I can't say enough about him," Pritchard said of Richardson. "We're not cutting out any stuff. The further we can bring our depth up, the better football team we're going to be."
Costello and Mills are expected back for fall training camp in August. They will be joined by highly-touted freshman Jack West from Alabama, a four-star recruit who passed for 3,000 yards and 27 scores in two years.
Richardson isn't looking that far ahead. Aside from occasional breaks from Pritchard, who quarterbacked the Cardinal to one of the biggest upsets in college football history in 2007 by throwing a 10-yard scoring pass to Mark Bradford in the final minute to stun 41-point favorite USC, 24-23 in Los Angeles, it's Richardson's show, culminating with the Cardinal and White Spring Game on April 14.
"One of the things that has been great for my development was being on the scout team the last two years," he said. "I wasn't running our offense -- it was Cal's or USC's -- but those reps help with accuracy and anticipation. Plus, you're going against the first team defense, guys like Quenton Meeks, Alameen Murphy and Justin Reid. It was super-valuable to go against guys that good, and carries over to times like now."
Richardson's parents have been good sounding boards.
"They just tell me to take it one day at time," said Richardson. "Ask questions, be coachable and take everything in. They played at a high level, and have been great to talk to."
Richardson has been too busy with school and film study dwell on the big picture. He's comfortable in his role and determined to make the most of it.
"In high school, I was always able to bounce back from bad plays," Richardson said. "You have to stick with it and keep fighting. Not letting those plays affect your confidence is crucial to playing the position."
Even without Heisman Trophy runner-up Bryce Love, who is limited this spring, Richardson has already seen great things from the offense.
"I honestly can't think of one area where we are weak," said Richardson. "I think we can do some really big things this season if we continue on the same trajectory."
Before breaking for studies and finals last Sunday afternoon, Shaw reminded players to focus on academics and stay active.
"We can't come back out of shape," he said.
Shaw is pleased with the transition of his offensive line to Carberry.
"A lot of new techniques, and guys have picked them up really well," said Shaw. "They've really taken to him and understand what's being asked of them."
Murphy, a fifth-year senior and team captain, has been practicing everywhere in the secondary, seeing action at corner and safety in nickel and dime coverages.
"He's shown unbelievable growth and maturity," Shaw said. "I can't say enough about him and it has allowed us to practice."
Shaw has also been pleased with the work of senior wide receivers Trenton Irwin and JJ Arcega-Whiteside.
"They have picked up where they left off," he said.
Expect speedy and versatile wide receiver Connor Wedington to play a bigger role in 2018. He produced 306 all-purpose yards as a true freshman and his 31 receptions ranked fourth on the team.
"He's one of those guys that at some point is going to be able to do anything," said Shaw. "We think he's going to be a threat from a bunch of places. We have to try not to put the cart before the horse because he's only a sophomore."
Shaw said many younger players are benefitting from extra reps and one-on-one coaching while others work through injuries.
"We've had to adjust practice, but guys are still working hard and hitting," he said. "It's a great opportunity for them. You can't play this game without being physical."
Extra Points … Shaw also singled out the play of fifth-year senior inside linebacker Bobby Okereke … The second spring session starts April 3 and features an open practice on April 7 from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. … Spring practice visitors have included former Cardinal standouts Ben Gardner, Zach Ertz, Joshua Garnett, Kevin Hogan and Kyle Murphy, and former head coach Tyrone Willingham … Many of Stanford's current NFL players spend off-season time on The Farm. Last week, a player panel shared valuable insights with the 2018 team about life on and off the field … The Cardinal spent its off-day on Feb. 28 participating in Read Across America, a tradition sparked by the birthday of noted children's writer Dr. Seuss.
Quotable ... "The team is only as strong as its weakest link. The more we can develop guys, the better we will be." - Jack Richardson