Before senior wide receiver Jared Richardson committed to Penn football, he committed to something bigger: the people around him.
Richardson learned what commitment looked like at home, before he ever set foot on Franklin Field. Growing up, his father never missed his football games, while his mother made daily, 4 a.m. commutes from the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania to New York. Seeing such conviction and sacrifice from a young age shaped Richardson’s mindset, and his parents’ devotion became the foundation of the work ethic he has applied while playing for the Red and Blue.
That sense of commitment was necessary. Soon after arriving on campus, Richardson had to reinvent himself on the field. After putting on his new threads, he was no longer a quarterback: He had to learn how to step into the role of a wide receiver for the first time. This change pushed him to adjust mentally and physically as he worked to settle into his place on the team.
“At first it was a little rocky,” Richardson said. “And then I started picking things up, you know, and I got on the field as a freshman.”
Across his three seasons for the Quakers, Richardson has starred in numerous matches under the shining lights. But one memory from his first year as a Quaker still sticks with him: his first moment under the lights of Franklin Field in a matchup against Columbia. His parents were in the stands, cameras in hand, capturing the milestones as he fielded a kickoff return and made his first mark on Penn’s historic turf.
What began as an experiment quickly became a given. By sophomore year, Richardson looked every bit the natural wide receiver. This was his breakthrough year, as he led the team with 67 receptions, 788 receiving yards, and 8 receiving touchdowns.
Despite his individual successes, football has never been a solo pursuit for Richardson. After having his dad as his coach during his early years, his football career has always been intertwined with his family. Now, at Penn, he’s also built lasting bonds with his teammates: Richardson currently lives with teammates senior quarterback Liam O’Brien and fellow senior wide receiver Bisi Owens. Training on the turf and living together has strengthened their dynamic on and off the field.
“We’ve just clicked,” Richardson said. “It’s like we’re always on the same page, which is great.”
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This friendship goes further than playbooks and practice — it even took flight this summer when Richardson traveled to visit Colorado before the preseason camp. The visit was part training, part getaway — it was as much about making memories as it was about sharpening their skills.
Having this backing from his teammates will be an asset as the Quakers charge into the upcoming season. Though Richardson experienced a highly successful sophomore season, his junior year performance fell short. Richardson noted that he didn’t make as many catches as he wanted and that it took a toll on him mentally. But with his senior season in front of him, he’s determined to reset and come out stronger than ever alongside his teammates.
“This year it’s a clean slate,” Richardson said. “We’re hunting for that Ivy League [championship].”
Before he hangs up his Penn jersey, Richardson hopes to eclipse 1,000 yards to match former Penn receiver and three-time Super Bowl champion Justin Watson’s legacy. Watson occupies three of the top five seasons in receiving yards.
Looking further ahead, Richardson is keeping his options open. While he’s searching for traditional job opportunities, he is also interested in using his additional year of eligibility to achieve his dream of playing in the NFL. While he has big goals, his motivation circles back to the people who made his journey possible.
“I want to go out with a bang,” said Richardson. “Hopefully with this football stuff, I can say, ‘Mom, you don’t ever have to work again.’”
Sports associate Sonal Sukhatme contributed reporting.
