FIVE-STAR SHOCKER: Elite QB Ryder Lyons Stuns College Football, Commits to BYU in Recruiting Earthquake
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the college football landscape, five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons—one of the most coveted prospects in the 2026 recruiting class—has announced his commitment to Brigham Young University. The Folsom (Calif.) High School star chose the Cougars over a who’s who of college football blue bloods, including Oregon, USC, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Alabama, and Michigan.
The announcement, made live on “The Pat McAfee Show,” represents arguably the biggest recruiting victory in BYU football history and signals a seismic shift in the program’s trajectory as it continues to establish itself as a force in the Big 12 Conference .
“It’s been a long journey,” Lyons told McAfee during his commitment. “I got my first scholarship in eighth grade, so we’ve been at this for a while. To be honest, I’m just so blessed. I’m just appreciative. It’s been incredible” .
A Recruiting Battle for the Ages
The pursuit of Lyons was one of the most intense recruiting battles of the 2026 cycle. Ranked as the No. 5 quarterback in the nation and the No. 19 overall prospect by the 247Sports Composite, the 6-foot-2.5, 220-pound dual-threat signal-caller held offers from virtually every major program in the country .
Beyond his finalists—Oregon, USC, Ole Miss, and Ohio State—Lyons had competing offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame, Texas A&M, and Michigan, among others . For much of his recruitment, the college football world assumed Lyons would land at a traditional SEC or Big Ten powerhouse. Instead, he chose to take his talents to Provo, Utah.
The decision is even more stunning given the timing. Lyons made official visits to both BYU and Oregon in June, leading many analysts to predict the Ducks—who have made a habit of landing elite talent under head coach Dan Lanning—would secure his commitment . When Lyons took the stage on McAfee’s show, the announcement left the college football world scrambling.
“The first school that offered me… that was BYU,” Lyons revealed. “They pulled the trigger on me and believed in me early and that’s just crazy how it all comes full circle” .
The Mormon Mission Twist
Perhaps the most unique aspect of Lyons’ commitment—and a factor that makes his pledge to BYU particularly logical—is his intention to serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Unlike virtually every other five-star recruit in the country, Lyons will not suit up for the Cougars immediately upon graduating high school. Instead, he will take a leave of absence from football to serve his mission, a rite of passage for many young members of the LDS faith.
“I’ll be serving an LDS mission,” Lyons confirmed on the Pat McAfee Show. “It’s for sure a big deal. I do not know where I’m going and I actually put my papers in August and then I’ll get a call to anywhere in the world 2-3 weeks after” .
This means BYU fans will have to wait until the 2027 season to see their five-star prize take the field. Lyons will complete his senior season at Folsom High in the fall of 2025, graduate in the spring of 2026, and then depart for his mission, effectively using what would have been his freshman season as a redshirt year .
For BYU head coach Kalani Sitake and offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick, the patience is a small price to pay for a player of Lyons’ caliber.
A Generational Talent
When Lyons eventually arrives in Provo, he will bring with him a skill set that has drawn comparisons to some of the game’s most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks. His high school production borders on the absurd.
As a junior at Folsom High, Lyons amassed 3,011 passing yards, 46 touchdowns, and just six interceptions through the air. On the ground, he added 585 rushing yards and 14 more scores, showcasing the kind of running ability that makes him a nightmare for defensive coordinators .
Over the past two seasons, Lyons has thrown for over 6,500 yards and rushed for more than 1,500 yards, earning him Gatorade Player of the Year honors in California following the 2024 season . His combination of arm strength, accuracy, and athleticism has made him the top uncommitted quarterback in the 2026 class prior to his decision .
“He can punish defenses with either his arm or his legs,” one recruiting analyst noted. “The term ‘dual-threat’ is overused in recruiting circles, but it is the only way to describe Lyons’ skillset” .
The NIL Era Arrives in Provo
Lyons’ commitment also signals a new era for BYU in the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape. Shortly after announcing his pledge to the Cougars, Lyons inked a deal with Under Armour, joining an elite roster of NFL athletes represented by the brand .
“Pumped to be part of the @UAfootball team. WE ARE FOOTBALL,” Lyons posted on Instagram, announcing the partnership that places him alongside Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward, and other NFL stars .
The NIL component of Lyons’ recruitment was undoubtedly significant. While BYU has traditionally relied on its unique culture, academic reputation, and strong alumni network to attract recruits, the ability to secure a player of Lyons’ caliber demonstrates that the Cougars are now competing—and winning—in the modern NIL landscape.
A Historic Recruiting Class Takes Shape
Lyons is not merely a lone jewel in BYU’s 2026 recruiting crown. He is the centerpiece of what is shaping up to be the highest-rated recruiting class in school history.
BYU’s 2026 class currently ranks No. 19 nationally and No. 1 in the Big 12 according to 247Sports, a remarkable achievement for a program that was unranked in recruiting just a few years ago . The class includes 21 high school signees with an average composite rating of 89.00, the highest average score of any BYU football recruiting class in history .
Beyond Lyons, the Cougars have secured commitments from four-star tight end Brock Harris, four-star offensive linemen Bott Mulitalo and Jax Tanner, four-star linebacker Braxton Lindsey, and four-star wide receiver Jaron Pula, among others .
The class is particularly strong in the trenches and at the skill positions. Bott Mulitalo, a top-100 player nationally, flipped from Oregon to BYU after deciding to switch from defensive line to offensive tackle . Jax Tanner, the Gatorade Player of the Year in Idaho, projects as an interior offensive lineman who did not allow a single sack and recorded 115 pancake blocks during his junior season .
At tight end, BYU has secured two of the top 10 players at the position nationally in Brock Harris (No. 8) and Ty Goettsche (No. 9) . The defensive side of the ball features elite edge rushers like Lopeti Moala, who recorded 17 sacks as a senior at Orem High School .
A New Reality in the Big 12
Lyons’ commitment to BYU is more than just a recruiting victory—it is a statement about the program’s trajectory in the Big 12 Conference. The Cougars are coming off a 12-2 season in 2025 that saw them reach the Big 12 Championship Game, a remarkable achievement in just their second year in the league .
With quarterback Bear Bachmeier—the reigning Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year—returning for the 2026 season, BYU has positioned itself as a legitimate contender in the conference . The presence of a five-star talent like Lyons waiting in the wings only amplifies the program’s long-term potential.
“BYU was selective in the transfer portal, identifying needs, while also turning to prospects that would be strong fits in Kalani Sitake’s program,” according to a recent roster analysis . The Cougars added nine transfers for the 2026 season, including the top-ranked linebacker in the portal, Cade Uluave from Cal, and key pieces from Oregon, USC, and Washington .
The Road Ahead
For now, BYU fans will have to be patient. Lyons will complete his senior season at Folsom High, where he continues to put up staggering numbers. Through the 2025 season, he has thrown for 1,816 yards and 18 touchdowns while rushing for six more scores, leading Folsom to a dominant record .
After graduation, Lyons will depart for his LDS mission, leaving a void in the BYU quarterback room that will be filled by Bachmeier, Treyson Bourguet, and returned missionary Enoch Watson in 2026 . When Lyons returns in 2027, he will step into a program that has built a foundation of success around him.
“This is a generational moment for BYU football,” one recruiting insider noted. “Landing a five-star quarterback who had offers from everyone in the country is something that simply didn’t happen at BYU before. It shows that the combination of Big 12 membership, NIL opportunities, and the unique culture of the program can compete with anyone in the country.”
A Moment That Changes Everything
Lyons’ commitment to BYU represents a watershed moment for the program. In an era where the blue bloods of college football—Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon—typically hoard five-star talent, the Cougars have proven that they can not only compete with these programs on the field but also in the living rooms of the nation’s most elite recruits.
The combination of the program’s on-field success in the Big 12, the resources available through NIL, and the unique cultural fit that BYU offers for Latter-day Saint athletes has created a perfect storm. For a player like Ryder Lyons, who prioritizes both athletic excellence and his personal faith, BYU presented an opportunity that no other program could match.
“It all comes full circle,” Lyons said of his decision . For BYU football, the circle is expanding, and the future has never looked brighter.
When Lyons finally takes the field at LaVell Edwards Stadium in 2027, he will do so as the highest-rated recruit in program history, the centerpiece of the best recruiting class BYU has ever assembled, and the symbol of a program that has arrived on the national stage. College football has been put on notice: the Cougars are here to stay.
