The Waddell name is pretty well known in football circles around Poteau and Ryder, now a sophomore, is the youngest of five Waddell brothers to play for the Pirates and paid the price early on as the little brother. “Yeah, they always picked on me which is why I’m pretty brave and strong now,” he laughed. “We have a pretty athletic family with my mom and dad both playing sports in high school.” He had a breakout freshman year in 2024 leading the team in tackles from his linebacker position and scoring on a 60-yard scamper in his first scrimmage against Rogers (Ark) Heritage and a 95-yard pick six during the season. The Pirates new coach Jake Hayes likes what he’s seen of Waddell. “He’s going to be a special football player,” Hayes said flatly. “The thing that sets him apart as a sophomore is that he has really good instincts for the game and he’s very coachable. He practices with a lot of joy and is well liked by his teammates. He’s hit the weights in the off season and has gone from about 185 to 215 this year and he’s gotten his first college offer from the University of Texas-San Antonio. He plays linebacker and H-back and his versatility gives us the opportunity to game plan on how to get the ball in his hands more.” In addition to football, Ryder is also an accomplished basketball player who played on elite Puma and Nike teams in travel ball but has since dropped those though he still plays school basketball. He’s got a family full of role models, but he focused on a couple. “My dad is certainly a big role model. He keeps track of things like my water intake, nutrition and keeps me on track on and off the field. Out of my brothers I probably look up to Wyatt the most. He played on our state championship team in 2018 and played with a hurt knee during the season but stuck with it including going up against Ethan Downs who went on to OU so that taught me that no matter what, just keep on going and fight through the pain.” Ryder says his goals this year include getting between 100-120 tackles and at least 300 receiving yards.
