Ryder Waddell
Ryder Waddell
About Ryder
Expert Analysis
Michael Knight | Prep Redzone Scout
Poteau linebacker
Ryder Waddell
Ryder
Waddell
6'4" | 225 lbs | LB/TE
Poteau | 2028
State
OK
is a 2028 prospect that seems like he is a lock to be a top 20 overall prospect and the top linebacker in this class from start to finish. Waddell hasn’t given us any reason to think that he won’t continue to be that dominant player for the Pirates moving forward. We got a chance to watch Waddell in person following his freshman season and if his sophomore film was any indicator, Waddell has taken his game up a few notches. Now, the only question moving forward for Waddell as a prospect will be the positional fit for him at the next level. We think that it’s clear that he’s a next level player. But depending on the system, does he stay at linebacker or does he move down to the line of scrimmage?
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Read EvaluationMichael Knight | Prep Redzone Scout
Poteau standout
Ryder Waddell
Ryder
Waddell
6'4" | 225 lbs | LB/TE
Poteau | 2028
State
OK
is the top-ranked linebacker in the 2028 class and continues to be a top ten overall prospect in the latest ranking. Checking out some of his film from last season, the first thing you notice is how he invades opposing backfields like a missile and anything he comes in contact with goes down and goes down hard. He’s one of the hardest hitting defenders that we watched during this ranking update. We caught Waddell in person last spring at one of our showcase camps. He immediately passed the eye test and he’s going to be a name to watch moving forward. His recruitment started to take off prior to his sophomore season and it won’t be slowing down. Athletically, he’s got the juice as he also plays offense for Poteau.
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Read EvaluationMichael Knight | Prep Redzone Scout
We’re just a year removed from Poteau sending their first prospect to the D1 ranks in decades and now they have another one. Sophomore hybrid defender
Ryder Waddell
Ryder
Waddell
6'4" | 225 lbs | LB/TE
Poteau | 2028
State
OK
has already emerged as a D1 prospect, picking up his first offer earlier this year. And when we call Waddell a hybrid defender, we’re talking about his future as a prospect. He will more than likely line up primarily at linebacker but he has the ability to move closer to the line of scrimmage as an edge rusher. His ceiling as a prospect is incredibly high and we’re looking forward to seeing him in year two.
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Poteau linebacker
Ryder Waddell
Ryder
Waddell
6'4" | 225 lbs | LB/TE
Poteau | 2028
State
OK
rounds out the top five and he made a significant jump in this latest update. In our initial 2028 rankings, Waddell checked in at #20 as an intriguing prospect with a high upside based on his build. After watching him in person at our camp last month and then seeing him continue to tear up the camp circuit, there was no doubt that he was going to jump up in the top ten and he checks in at #5 in this month’s update. Waddell feels like a prospect that is just scratching the surface on what he’s going to be in a few years. The length and overall size will stand out immediately when you watch him. The Poteau defender looks like a guy who will flourish as an edge rusher or an outside linebacker in the right defensive scheme. Waddell has earned the attention of D1 coaches and it’s not going to slow down anytime soon as he continues to progress physically and on the field.
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Read EvaluationMichael Knight | Prep Redzone Scout
The Poteau Pirates are known for having one of the better defensive units in Class 4A and in the state so the fact that a freshman is leading them in tackles is definitely something that catches our attention. Linebacker
Ryder Waddell
Ryder
Waddell
6'4" | 225 lbs | LB/TE
Poteau | 2028
State
OK
leads the Pirates with 46 tackles on the season and is tied for the team lead with 12 tackles for loss. In his first four games of his varsity career, Waddell would register double digit tackles but came up short of that in the week five loss to Ada. There are a few Waddells that have had an impact on the Pirates this season and Ryder looks to be the next name to know moving forward.
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Read EvaluationEvent Results
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Combine Series: Oklahoma
05/18/2025
- 40 Yd #1
- 5.12
- 40 Yd #2
- 5.03
- Shuttle #1
- 5.83
- Shuttle #2
- 4.9
- Broad #1
- 8'.5
- Broad #2
- 8'7
- L-Drill #1
- 7.97
- L-Drill #2
- 7.5
- Vertical #1
- -
- Vertical #2
- -
- Wingspan
- 6'6"
- Hand Size
- -
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