New Trier quarterback Jackie Ryder commits to Purdue

New Trier’s Jackie Ryder was playing wide receiver in middle school when his dad Brian — a former tight end at Arizona State — had an idea that changed the trajectory of his son’s career.

“It was my dad who wanted me to switch [to quarterback],” Ryder told the Sun-Times. “I always had a good arm, was a good athlete. It wasn’t very hard.”

And now the three-star prospect is a Big Ten recruit. Ryder, who is No. 35 in Illinois’ 2027 recruiting cycle according to the 247Sports composite rankings, committed to Purdue earlier this month.

The Boilermakers, who are rebuilding under second-year coach Barry Odom, have been in contact with Ryder for more than a year.

“They really wanted me,” said Ryder, who also had Group of Five offers from North Texas and Southern Mississippi as well as interest from other mid-majors.

But the chance to play in a Power Four league close to home was impossible to resist.

“Originally I thought I would figure out [a college choice] in June,” Ryder said. “But I felt this was the right opportunity.”

He believes Odom can right the ship at Purdue the same way he did in his previous stop at UNLV.

“I just love his vision for the program, getting back to how Purdue was back in the day,” Ryder said. “I see him going to work for me and the rest of the program.”

Ryder has been a late bloomer, according to Trevians coach Brian Doll.

“Jackie is a kid who probably developed six months later than some other kids,” Doll said. “He has put on some pretty good weight.”

Ryder now carries 220 pounds on his 6-5 frame, up from 185 a year ago.

“His body has just really developed,” Doll said. “He looks the part.”

Ryder had a productive junior season as New Trier went 5-5 and reached the Class 8A playoffs. He completed 55% of his passes for 1,784 yards and 17 touchdowns with four interceptions. Ryder isn’t a dual-threat quarterback, but he was an effective runner in a small sample size with 19 carries for 163 yards and four touchdowns.

“He’s kind of sneaky agile and quick for a kid his size,” Doll said.

Ryder’s calling card is his big arm. “He’s able to push the ball downfield, [throw] the deep outs,” Doll said.

Ryder also is a standout pitcher/outfielder for New Trier’s baseball team. But his future is in football, and he breaks a long drought
for the Trevians. Doll believes Ryder is the first Big Ten quarterback the program has produced since Rich Weiss played at Illinois in the late 1970s.

While some elite athletes specialize in their primary sport as their prep careers wind down, Ryder had no thought of giving up baseball.

“It’s pretty hectic but I’m really enjoying it,” he said of juggling both sports.

With a promising group of receivers that includes another two-sport standout — sophomore lacrosse star Ben Sullivan — Ryder is upbeat about the Trevians’ prospects this fall.

“We’ve got a lot of guys coming up I feel strong about,” he said.

Just like he feels strongly about heading to West Lafayette, Indiana, down the road.