Folsom (California) five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons is set to announce his college commitment Tuesday, and the battle seems to be centered on the BYU Cougars and Oregon Ducks.
The 6-foot-2 1/2, 220-pound signal-caller is rated the nation's No. 13 overall prospect and No. 4 quarterback in the class of 2026, but he intends to graduate early and take an LDS mission beginning in January.
For all intents and purposes, that will make him a 2027 prospect - and would also likely launch him firmly into the discussion of the nation's top prospect in that class.
So, who will be landing the nation's top uncommitted quarterback?
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Prediction: Ryder Lyons to BYU Cougars
There was a time when the USC Trojans felt like a lock, but after flipping Oregon quarterback pledge Jonas Williams, that interest has largely cooled, giving way to a BYU-Oregon battle.
In the NIL era, BYU has quickly found its footing as a major player in the recruiting landscape, signing the nation's top basketball recruit, A.J. Dybantsa, and putting together an impressive collection of 2026 football pledges thus far, led by Pine View (Utah) four-star tight end Brock Harris.
In recent weeks, BYU has also surged in the recruitment of Lyons, whose father played in Provo in the mid-1990s.
The Cougars are set to host the final official visit for Lyons and are rumored to have the highest NIL bid in place for the elite passer.
Meanwhile, fellow contender Oregon is moving like a school prepared to finish as the runner-up.
Dan Lanning's program has offered a pair of fast-rising 2026 signal-callers - Archbishop Moeller (Ohio) two-sport star Matt Ponatoski and Vista Murrieta (California) bluechip passer Bryson Beaver - and isn't poised to host Lyons' final visit, a staple of Lanning's recruiting efforts.
Given Lyons' firm ties to BYU - both his father and his siblings have attended the school - and his strong personal and religious connection to the school, all signs seem to point to a BYU recruiting win.
And the recruiting industry agrees.
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247Sports' staff recently logged a BYU prediction, and all the buzz seems to favor the Cougars.
A word of caution, in the NIL era, things can change very quickly - and Oregon is known for pulling off big surprises late.
This isn't over, and the Ducks shouldn't be counted out completely in the modern recruiting landscape.
But BYU has established itself as the clear team to beat late.
What would the Cougars be getting?
Here's what 247Sports had to say about Lyons as a prospect:
"Lyons is an exceptional talent and has been one of the top quarterbacks in the region since his sophomore year. Has rare combination of arm talent and movement ability and can shred a defense with his arm and his legs.
"A pure thrower with a live arm and understands how to change speeds and throw with anticipation. Accurate to all three levels of the field and throws the deep ball with touch and can rip fastballs in to tight windows. Equally dangerous when a play breaks down and has to improvise off-script. Elite in his ability to make multiple defenders miss and is creative in how he can buy time and make a throw down the field or take off and run for plus yards.
"He's a tough kid who doesn't shy away from contact and will take a shot but hang in the pocket to deliver the football. A highly competitive player with a strong off the field work ethic and draws raves from his coaches and teammates for his leadership skill.
"Has one of the highest ceilings among the quarterback group in his class and assuming he continues to develop, should be playing on Sunday's for a very long time."
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