Interview: Arkansas Razorbacks 2017 DE Commit Ryder Anderson Updates Off-Season and Recruiting

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The runaway freight train that no team in Texas could catch in 2015 was Katy High School. The Tigers lived up to the name sake being a beast on the field running their record to 16-0 beating Lake Travis 34-7 for UIL State Football Championship.

The perfect mark, as remarkable as the accomplishment stands against 6A competition, still does not do the team justice. The only game Katy was truly challenged came in Week 3 when the Woodlands kept the game tight before falling 14-7. Last season the Tigers leaned heavily on senior talent like running back Kyle Porter (Texas), linebacker Paddy Fisher (Northwestern), defensive tackle Joey Woodring (Air Force), and defensive backs JoVanni Stewart (West Virginia), Travis Whilock (Northwestern), and Collin Wilder (Houston). Despite all the upperclassmen leadership a tone setter up front on defense came from the 2017 class in Ryder Anderson.

Anderson was a standout at defensive end during his junior year taking on double-teams to stop the run while using his athleticism on passing downs to disrupt quarterbacks. The 6-6, 230 pound, talent had a mailing address in the opposition’s backfield during his first year at the varsity level grabbing attention from college coaches near and far. The Lone Star talent has racked up 14 total offers but ended his recruitment when he committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks on June 23 after visiting the campus on the 20th.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I sat down with Anderson before the Tigers begin their 2016 schedule getting an overview on his off-season workouts, thoughts on Katy’s squad this year, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Ryder, when did you get your call up to the varsity level?

“I was called up my sophomore year for the playoffs.”

Going into your junior season did you know that you would have the kind of impact on the team that you ended up having?

“I didn’t really know what to expect. My first year on the varsity level, I just wanted to get playing time. I took it one game at time. Things started falling in line and I ran with it.”

When you started running with it, what are some of the things you did well on the field that helped you be an explosive player on defense?

“I feel like I have a really high-aggressive motor. I have great hands and I get to the quarterback really well. With my pass rush, I can get back there and make plays.”

What parts of your game did you work on over the summer?

“I worked on getting quicker with everything. I worked on getting quicker with my hands, feet, and hips. I worked on getting quicker off the ball. I worked on my pass rush a lot so I can get to the quarterback more this year.”

Did you max out on any of the primary football lifts this summer?

“Yes sir. My bench is 270, my squat is 365, and my power clean was 250.”

Did you get to run a 40-yard dash this off-season?

“Yes sir. I ran a 4.9.”

Did you go to any camps this summer?

“I went to Houston, Boise State, Colorado, and I went to a Sound Mind Sound Body camp with a bunch of colleges there. Arkansas was there at the Sound Mind Sound Body camp and saw me workout there.”

I know you visited Arkansas on June 20. Obviously the visit went well. What all did you do when you went to Fayetteville?

“I toured the facilities when we got there. That was amazing. I was blown away as soon as we pulled into the stadium parking lot. We toured the weight room and locker room. We toured the academic building/cafeteria for the athletes. We went upstairs and talked to Coach B (head coach Bret Bielema) and that is when I got my offer. I also saw the weight room and talked to the strength and conditioning coach (Ben Herbert). We toured the business center and took care of the education stuff. I sat in on a player meeting too.”

Wow, you did a lot. When Coach Bielema gave you the offer, what was that moment like for you?

“It was an amazing feeling. That was a big offer for me. Knowing that all my hard work I put in was paying off and Arkansas wanted me to come there, it felt really great.”

What led you to commit to Arkansas?

“The people, coaches, players, and the fans. There are a lot of great people all just right there in Fayetteville. The coaches, they showed me a lot of love on my visit and have since then. They have given me a lot of attention. That makes me feel very welcomed there.”

You have 14 total offers. Are there any teams still showing recruiting interest in you even though you are committed to the Hogs?

“I still get some letters here and there from teams like Boise State, Memphis, and Colorado. They are all letting me know their offer is still on the table.”

Have you set an official visit date with Arkansas yet?

“I talked to coach about that yesterday. We are working it out. My off-week is in November, so sometime around then.”

Do you plan on taking any other official visits this season?

“No sir.”

Are you helping recruit other players to join you at Arkansas?

“If they are trying to recruit someone that I know, I will shoot them a text or give them a call.”

What is your pitch?

“I tell them to go see Fayetteville. They won’t understand Arkansas until they see Arkansas. That is my main thing. Once they see it, they’ll see what they need to see.”

Let’s switch to Katy. How does the team look through fall camp?

“The team looks great. We’ve worked really hard and everything is starting to come together. I think we’ll be ready this season.”

Will your role change on the team at all this year? Will we see you on offense?

“You may see me some at tight end – maybe. It depends on our depth during the season.”

Have you set any personal goals for your senior season?

“In terms of goals, I have not set ‘this many tackles or this many sacks.’ I’m taking it one game at a time. As the season goes, I just want to develop and mature as a player as much as I can before going to college.”

Well said. Are there any games on the schedule that you are pumped to play?

“Westlake (Austin) tomorrow. We play them tomorrow in Austin. With all of the games, I’m taking it one game at time then the next game we have. I just want to start off the season strong.”

A different kind of question to wrap everything up. Who is the best player you have gone up against so far?

“I went against Walker Little at the Nike Regional camp. He’s probably the best tackle I have faced. We went back and forth during the camp. He would win one and I would win one. I had a lot of fun going against him.”

Ryder, thanks for your time today and good luck against Westlake.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: usatodayhss.com; Katy celebrates 2015 championship

Photo credit: wholehogsports.com; Anderson family at Arkansas

Photo credit: Anderson family; Ryder Anderson at Arkansas