One of the prized recruits of the 2026 class for the USC Trojans is 5-star Folsom quarterback Ryder Lyons. For over a year, the Trojans have been the favorite to land his commitment for a number of factors, most notably being Lincoln Riley and his expertise with QBs, but also the fact that his brother, Walker Lyons, is a tight end for the Trojans.
As of late, however, that sentiment seems to be cooling among the recruiting insiders around the country. The USC Trojans are still firmly in the mix, and Lyons will have an official visit to campus in June, but it appears that other programs are beginning to rise in favor of the young signal caller.
Adam Gorney of Rivals.com has predicted a new suitor he believes will ultimately be a finalist.
USC Trojans Slipping For Commitment Of Ryder Lyons?
It was never a lock for Lincoln Riley to land Lyons, but it certainly has felt as close to one as possible. According to Gorney, that seems to be shifting.
“At one point, it looked like the Folsom, Calif., star quarterback was all but set for USC,” writes Gorney. “But then four-star Jonas Williams flipped from Oregon to the Trojans. Still, Lyons visited USC after that pledge, although that ship might have sailed.”
While in this new day and age of NIL, it is rare, if not non-existent, for two elite QBs from the same class to commit to the same school. This is the sentiment of some as to why Lyons will now look elsewhere. However, this situation is a little bit different.
While Lyons is technically a member of the 2026 class, he will be taking an LDS mission after school, so he will not arrive on campus, of any school, until 2027. So while he and Williams are a part of the same class, they are really separated by a year.
This is why I believe that the USC Trojans are still firmly in the mix and still the favorite.
Gorney also mentions that Oregon is a top option and that the potential relationship will ultimately come down to another 5-star QBs decision, Jared Curtis. Curtis is reportedly deciding between Oregon and Georgia. If he chooses Georgia, then Oregon will be all in on Lyons.
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Gorney continues, “BYU is a real option because of Lyons’ faith and he likes the situation there and then Michigan and Ohio State are getting serious looks as he especially likes the idea of coming in, learning under Bryce Underwood and then competing for the starting job in Ann Arbor.”
Underwood was the No. 1 quarterback in the 2025 class, just ahead of USC Trojans QB Husan Longstreet.
“But Ole Miss has been sticking around very strongly as well. There has been some whispers that Lyons isn’t crazy about the location but his relationship with coach Lane Kiffin is strong, we’ve written often that Lyons is a Jaxson Dart clone but further advanced at the same stage and playing in that offense is a major draw.”
The former USC Trojans coach down in Oxford, Mississippi, may end up being the biggest competition for Lincoln Riley and USC. While Riley is more than likely the best QB coach in College Football, you could argue that Kiffin is the best in the SEC, so there is certainly a draw there.
Ole Miss also did not have a QB in their 2025 class, so by the time Lyons gets to campus, the starting job could be wide open.
Lyons has stated that he wants to make his decision in the summer before the season starts. It is going to be a heavy competition all the way to the finish line.