In a monumental recruiting victory for BYU, five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons revealed his decision to join the Cougars during a live announcement Tuesday on The Pat McAfee Show.
Rated as the top overall prospect in California for the class of 2026 and a Top 5 quarterback nationally by a number or recruiting services, Lyons’ commitment is one of the biggest recruiting wins in BYU’s history.
The standout dual-threat quarterback held offers from a who’s who of college football powerhouses — including Oregon, Alabama, USC, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State and LSU to just name a few. In the end, the race came down to BYU and Oregon, with the Ducks hosting Lyons on an official visit just a week before he took his trip to Provo. Despite Oregon’s full-court press, Lyons ultimately chose the Cougars.
The anticipated commitment of Lyons to BYU this December, when the early signing period opens for the 2026 class, is a monumental moment for the program. It’s a recruiting win that rivals the Cougars’ landmark signing of No. 1 basketball prospect AJ Dybantsa last November. In just half a year, two of the nation’s most high-profile high school athletes have chosen to announce their pledges to BYU on ESPN — a powerful statement about the school’s rising national profile in recruiting circles.
Football runs in Ryder’s family. His father, Tim Lyons, played defensive back at BYU, and his older brother, Walker Lyons, is currently a tight end at USC. Ryder has expressed plans to serve a one-year mission after high school, positioning him as a 2027 enrollee. Once he returns, he is expected to jump right into the quarterback competition.
Known for his ability to dominate through the air and on the ground, Lyons fits the mold of today’s top-tier quarterbacks. He’s a polished passer with excellent mobility, capable of making plays inside and outside the pocket. Many people like to compare Lyons to Russell Wilson or Caleb Williams — the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Here’s how one recruiting analyst (Greg Biggins) describes his game:
“Lyons is a special talent who’s stood out as one of the top quarterbacks on the West Coast since his sophomore season. He combines elite arm strength with exceptional athleticism and can attack defenses through the air or with his legs. He throws accurately at all levels, can drop deep balls with touch, and zip throws into tight windows. He’s also extremely dangerous when improvising, capable of extending plays and making defenders miss. A natural competitor with high toughness, strong leadership, and a professional mindset, Lyons has one of the highest upsides in the class. If he stays on track, Sundays are likely in his future.”
Lyons plans to enroll early and join the team for spring ball ahead of the 2027 season, sitting out just the 2026 campaign for his mission. Once on campus, he’ll have the opportunity to compete immediately for the starting role.
With his signing, Lyons became just the third 5-star recruit in BYU history, joining Ben Olson (2002) and Ofa Mohetau (2003). While none of those panned out and have given Cougar fans heartbreaks, Lyons brings legitimate NFL-caliber potential and will be a foundational piece for the Cougars for years to come.
