In leadership, creativity, mobility and intelligence, Ryder Lyons will remind Oregon fans of Bo Nix.
He's his own man and his own player, but the similarities are strong, particularly the ability to connect with teammates and make plays with athleticism and an accurate passing arm. Both are about the same size as 5-star high school quarterbacks, Lyons 6-2, 205.
As a sophomore in 2023 he led three game-winning drives in the fourth quarter on the way to a state championship
In the 2026 class he's the No. 3 prospect in the country and No. 2 quarterback, according to Rivals. That rating is a little off. There isn't a better fit for the Oregon program and offense than Ryder Lyons.
He's Dan Lanning's perfect quarterback. The kid has a list of goals taped to the wall between his desk and his bed. Next to that, a typewritten list of Habits, insightful enough to realize the goals don't mean anything without habits.
Lyons has worked with a sports psychologist since the eighth grade, very clear about focus and preparation. There's no rap music in the final two hours before a game. Upbeat stuff only.
In the video he says, "I'm not chasing money. I'm chasing what I love to do. I love to play quarterback. That's my passion."
Ryder Lyons loves football. "Not just games. I love practice. I love watching film. I love learning defenses. I love getting better."
He carries the list on his cell phone. "To be the Number one player in the county. Not the number one quarterback. Number one overall."
"Throw for 65 touchdowns, run 10. 4,000 passing yards. Less than six interceptions. 4.0 GPA."
He has four dogs, Maverick, Reggie Cheeto and Mello. He plays guitar, saxophone and piano.
His mother Kamee directs musical theater, and between his freshman and sophomore years the family took a missionary trip to Ecuador. Ryder sang songs from Aladdin.
His brother Walker is a tight end at USC, home last September after two-year LDS mission in Norway. Both his parents went to BYU, his father a defensive back for the Cougars in 1996 and 1997.
Family connections abound.
Teammates hang out at the house. Kamee said five typically sleep over after Friday games. They keep a cooler of protein shakes in a spacious kitchen, requiring weekly trips to Costco to restock.
Playing a I-AA schedule against teams like St. John Bosco, De LaSalle and Pittsburg, he's 24-4 as a starter.
Bulldogs coach Paul Doherty said, “Ryder’s scrambling ability is next-level different. The last time I saw a scrambling quarterback as good as Ryder was Ian Book at Oak Ridge. It was so hard to get him to the ground, and Ryder is the same way.”
Book was 30-3 as a starter at Notre Dame. Another Sierra Foothill League quarterback, Jake Browning, started four years at Washington and is now the backup to Joe Burrow in Cincinnati.
Lyons said to Matt Long of Gold Country Media:
"My mom always reminds me of a story when I was 3 and my aunt scared me and instead of running like a typical 3-year-old, I charged her with all my might. I think I’m a fighter to my core. I’m never going to give up and am going to get it done at all cost."
"The competitiveness in me has always been there as long as I can remember. I know I can always do better and I’m willing to keep working hard and keep fighting so I can get better. I want to be the best at everything I do. That keeps me working harder. You have to love the grind, then get up and do it again."
On the field, Lyons is all charisma and energy. He's a bit of trash talker. He takes the field with a back flip, dancing during warmups. There's a lot of hugging and elaborate handshakes.
A one-year religious mission is likely. BYU will be tough competition. But Landing Lyons in July would absolutely make the Oregon class.
He just canceled a visit to USC. He told Keegan Pope of On3 Sports, “I want to build a team around me. I think I’m a pretty good recruiter."