**Americans No.1 QB Commits to BYU Football**

PROVO, Utah — In one of the most impactful recruiting moments in recent college football history, five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons officially committed to Brigham Young University (BYU) on June 24, 2025, in a nationally-televised announcement that sent shockwaves through the sport. Lyons, a top-rated quarterback prospect from Folsom High School in California, chose the Cougars over powerhouse programs including Oregon, USC, Ole Miss and other schools that pursued him throughout the recruiting cycle.

At 6-foot-3 and weighing 220 pounds, Lyons is regarded as one of the premier playmakers in the Class of 2026 and is ranked among the nation’s top quarterbacks. His commitment represents a major milestone for BYU head coach Kalani Sitake and the Cougars’ program — marking the first time in decades that a QB of Lyons’ caliber has chosen BYU, and instantly elevating the school’s recruiting profile on the national stage.

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Why Lyons Chose BYU: Two Main Reasons

In his announcement on “The Pat McAfee Show”, Lyons didn’t just declare his commitment — he explained what drove his decision. Two factors stood out clearly in his explanation:

1. Early Trust and Longstanding Relationship with BYU

Lyons revealed that BYU was among the first major schools to offer him a scholarship, extending interest all the way back to eighth grade — long before many other programs expressed serious attention. According to his comments during the announcement, that early belief played a huge role in his final decision: Lyons said, “They were the first ones (to offer me a scholarship) in eighth grade. They pulled the trigger on me. They believed in me early and it’s just crazy how it all comes full circle.”

For many highly-ranked recruits, early scholarship offers build trust and deepen relationships between a player and a program. In Lyons’ case, that trust appears to have resonated over many years of mutual interest, campus visits, and conversations with coaches and personnel.

The significance of this connection is heightened by the fact that BYU is not traditionally viewed as a football powerhouse on the same level as schools in the SEC, Big Ten or Pac-12. Yet Lyons’ long-term relationship with BYU’s coaching staff and their early investment in his development clearly created a bond he valued.

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2. Personal and Professional Vision — NFL Ambitions and Fit

While BYU’s early trust was important to Lyons, his decision was also shaped by his long-term goals — most notably his desire to reach the NFL. In later interviews reported by multiple outlets, Lyons emphasized that his decision wasn’t simply about money or flashy offers, but about finding the best fit for his development as a quarterback on and off the field.

After his commitment, Lyons spoke in depth about the role of name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities in the decision process. He acknowledged that financial offers were part of the recruiting landscape — and that BYU’s collective support showed how invested the program and its boosters were in his future. However, Lyons also insisted that money wasn’t the deciding factor: rather, his focus is on improving his game, maximizing his growth, and positioning himself for an NFL career — goals he believes BYU can help him achieve.

This dual emphasis — on personal development and professional trajectory — reflects a broader trend in elite recruiting, where young athletes weigh not just the prestige of a school but also coaching, developmental systems, and athletic culture. For Lyons, BYU’s offensive plans, the opportunity to work closely with experienced position coaches, and the chance to grow within a competitive yet supportive environment were all parts of that equation.

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Adding a Twist: Mission Plans and Timing

One unique component of Lyons’ commitment is his plan regarding his enrollment and athletic timeline. While he has chosen BYU as his destination, Lyons announced that he will not immediately join the team for the 2026 season, as he intends to embark on a mission trip before enrolling. This reflects a personal choice to balance his athletic ambitions with other life experiences — and it has sparked discussion across recruiting circles about how elite prospects integrate personal values with competitive goals.

Lyons’ choice to delay his college playing debut does not diminish the impact of his commitment; rather, it underscores the multi-dimensional decisions today’s top recruits face as they chart life paths that blend athletics, academics, and personal aspirations.

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What This Means for BYU

Landing Ryder Lyons is a seismic victory for BYU football. His commitment significantly boosts the Cougars’ recruiting class ranking, strengthens the program’s future quarterback depth chart, and signals to other elite prospects that BYU is a serious destination for high-level talent.

For a program that traditionally competed as an independent before joining the Big 12 Conference, attracting a five-star recruit like Lyons could be a turning point in the school’s competitive trajectory. BYU’s coaching staff now has a centerpiece prospect around which to build future offensive schemes, and Lyons’ presence alone increases national attention, ticket sales, and media coverage.

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Looking Ahead

As Lyons prepares to serve his mission and eventually arrive in Provo, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely. His career could define a new chapter in BYU football history — one that blends early loyalty, professional ambition, and personal growth.

Whether Lyons ultimately becomes a starter in the Big 12 or goes on to the NFL, his choice reflects the evolving nature of college football recruiting: relationships matter almost as much as on-field talent, and the best programs know that investing early in young athletes can pay off in monumental ways.