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…
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