Ryder Lyons Commits to BYU: 2026 ESPN 300 QB
Four-star quarterback Ryder Lyons,a top 50 recruit according to ESPN,has committed to BYU! This is a notable win for the BYU Cougars football program,securing their highest-ranked quarterback since 2002. The commitment, announced on ”The Pat McAfee Show,” sees Lyons poised to take on a key role in BYU’s future. Lyons will join the team in 2027 following a mission. The commitment came after Lyons considered Oregon and USC, underscoring BYU’s improved recruiting appeal, demonstrating the increasing influence of NIL.News Directory 3 has the extensive breakdown wiht the latest updates regarding the 2026 class and recruiting battles. Discover what’s next for the remaining uncommitted quarterbacks.
Ryder Lyons, Elite QB Recruit, Commits to BYU Cougars Football
Updated June 24, 2025
BYU football secured a major recruiting win Tuesday, landing four-star quarterback Ryder Lyons, ranked No. 49 in the ESPN 300 for the 2026 class. Lyons chose BYU over Oregon, announcing his decision on “The pat McAfee Show.” This commitment marks the highest-ranked quarterback pledge for the Cougars as 2002, boosting their recruiting efforts and future quarterback role prospects.
lyons, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound prospect from Folsom, Calif., is ESPN’s No. 5 pocket passer in the 2026 class. Although he will sign with BYU in 2026, Lyons plans to serve a Latter-day Saints mission, delaying his arrival in Provo until the spring of 2027. His commitment underscores BYU’s growing appeal and the impact of name, image and likeness (NIL) initiatives on recruiting.
After visiting Michigan, Ohio State and Ole Miss this spring, Lyons narrowed his choices to BYU, Oregon and USC in May. He ultimately canceled his USC visit, focusing on official visits to Oregon and BYU in June. The BYU Cougars football program’s persistence paid off, securing a talented quarterback with significant potential.
Lyons highlighted the personal connection he felt with BYU’s staff. “They’ve poured a lot into me and made me feel very needed,” Lyons told ESPN. “the love they’ve shown — not just the coaching staff, but everyone there — they’ve shown me just how much they want me more than any other program.”
As a sophomore, Lyons completed nearly 68% of his passes for 3,578 yards and 38 touchdowns.He followed that with 3,011 yards and 46 touchdowns as a junior. Lyons also rushed for 1,514 yards and 37 touchdowns over two seasons, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities. His improvisational skills and ability to extend plays make him a dynamic quarterback prospect.
BYU’s football program is building a perhaps historic 2026 class. It includes in-state tight end Brock Harris (No. 32) and defensive tackle Bott Mulitalo (No. 105), who flipped from Oregon. Securing signatures from Harris, Mulitalo and Lyons would give the Cougars their first recruiting class with at least three top 300 prospects since 2006.
For Oregon, Lyons’ decision represents another setback in the 2026 recruiting cycle. The Ducks missed out on several other top prospects recently, including Jackson Cantwell (Miami), Jared Curtis (Georgia) and Brandon Arrington (Texas A&M). Oregon is now expected to focus on Matt Ponatoski and Bryson Beaver, among others, to bolster their quarterback options.
what’s next
With Lyons committed, only two of the top 18 quarterbacks in the 2026 ESPN 300 remain uncommitted. Landon Duckworth is expected to choose between South Carolina and Auburn, while Oscar Rios will decide between Arizona and UCLA.