Latest news with #RyderLyons
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rivals Five-Star: Key QB storylines to follow heading into Indianapolis
Nick Lucero/ The Rivals Five-Star is being held June 23-24 at the Indianapolis Colts' practice facility. Here are five quarterback storylines we're following heading into one of the biggest events of the summer: Advertisement BEST OF RCS: The five best QBs of the 2025 Rivals Camp Series regionals | Five best RBs | Five best WRs/TEs | Five best OL | Five best DL | Five best LBs | Five best DBs RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy | Rivals Five-Star roster | Schedule/info CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy | Rivals Five-Star roster | Schedule/info SHOULD HENDERSON BE RANKED EVEN HIGHER? There are five five-star quarterbacks in the 2026 class currently with Tennessee commit Faizon Brandon and Ryder Lyons, who is highest on Oregon and BYU, ranked ahead of Houston pledge Keisean Henderson, who is one of the quarterback headliners expected in Indianapolis. Advertisement It has been quite a year or two for Henderson since there was a discussion about whether the Spring (Texas) Legacy would even play quarterback at the next level or beyond or whether it was just a high school pipe dream and then he would move to another position. With his outstanding athleticism, it was not out of the question for him to move to receiver or defensive back but Henderson has developed so well over that time period, he looked outstanding at the Navy All-American Bowl over the holidays and now Henderson has a chance to move even higher than seventh nationally. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH HOUSTON FANS AT WHO IS THE TOP QUARTERBACK IN 2028? It is far too early to answer this question but two of the top quarterbacks in the 2028 class will work out in Indianapolis in Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy's Jayden Wade and Vero Beach, Fla., standout Wonderful 'Champ' Monds IV and they can hash it out on the field. Advertisement Another 2028 star under serious consideration is Miami Northwestern's Neimannn Lawrence, who unfortunately won't be at the Rivals Five-Star but has all the tools to be really special and in consideration for No. 1 quarterback. Florida is unusually loaded at QB in 2028 and two of the best will be competing in Indy. WHAT IS O'NEAL PLANNING TO DO? Jaden O'Neal is coming to Indianapolis to compete and prove he's one of the best quarterbacks in the 2026 class but the Oklahoma commit will also have some explaining to do on exactly where his recruitment stands. Maybe the new Mustang, Okla., four-star standout doesn't even know yet until the situation with four-star Bowe Bentley is cleared up as he's down to the Sooners and LSU. Advertisement But there has been a lot of chatter that O'Neal isn't thrilled with Oklahoma pursuing a second quarterback and that Arizona, Florida State and others are working to flip him. As June visits draw to a close right before the Rivals Five-Star, there will be no better time to catch up on his recruitment. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OKLAHOMA FANS AT 2027 FIVE-STAR QUARTERBACK WATCH Right now, the only five-star quarterback in the 2027 class is Baton Rouge (La.) Dunham's Elijah Haven, who was invited to the Rivals Five-Star but declined. That opens to door for the other highly-rated quarterbacks to make a move and many of them will be competing in Indianapolis. Advertisement Ohio State pledge Brady Edmunds, Nebraska commit Trae Taylor, Flower Mound (Texas) Marcus' Colton Nussmeier and Shreveport (La.) Evangel Christian's Peyton Houston, USC's top quarterback target in the 2027 class, will all be working out in Indianapolis. Let's see if another five-star quarterback emerges from that group. DOES USC LEAD FOR HOUSTON? USC has made it clear: Houston - no one else - is the top target in its 2027 quarterback class. The Shreveport Evangel Christian standout has also made it clear that he has serious interest in the Trojans after two recent visits to campus. But there will be stiff competition. Advertisement Oklahoma had been considered the front-runner in his recruitment with Texas, Texas A&M and LSU all involved among others but USC's pursuit especially in the last few months has intrigued many including Houston, who knows full well coach Lincoln Riley's success over the years with quarterbacks. It will be interesting to see based on his performance whether Houston should be more in the five-star conversation. At media day for the Rivals Five-Star, it will also be interesting to see if the Trojans have moved to the front of the pack in his recruitment.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
BYU Football Reportedly in Two-Team Race for Top 2026 Quarterback
BYU Football Reportedly in Two-Team Race for Top 2026 Quarterback originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Ryder Lyons, who is one of the nation's top quarterback prospects for the class of 2026, has some decisions to make. With that said, BYU is reportedly one of his final teams as his commitment date draws near. Advertisement Earlier this week, Lyons told Rivals he's near a decision on where he'll go to college. The site's recruiting analyst Adam Gorney wrote that, 'The five-star quarterback from Folsom, Calif., visits Oregon this weekend, BYU next weekend and then could come to a decision.' Lyons has many other programs who have offered him, including Michigan and Ohio State. However, don't count out BYU over a powerhouse like Oregon. "As much as the outsider sees the Ducks as the front-runner here, BYU is under very serious consideration and as a bonus, his sister lives in Provo,' Gorney added. At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, Lyons is a consensus top-five quarterback prospect in the Class of 2026. According to 247Sports' Greg Biggins, he brings all the makings of a generational talent to the table. "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 into 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." Related: CBS Sports analyst drops bold prediction for BYU Basketball next season The California Gatorade Player of the Year posted an 11-2 record as a junior, leading Folsom to the Division I-AA Northern California championship game. Lyons missed some time due to injury, but completed 211 of 310 passes (68.1%) for 3,011 yards with 46 TD and 6 INT. Also carried the ball 118 times for 585 yards and 14 TD. Advertisement Related: BYU's AJ Dybantsa Becomes College Basketball's Top NIL Earner Lyons would be just the first five-star prospect to commit to the Cougars in over 20 years. He would also join an elite recruiting class going into next year. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Major rankings questions remain at premium positions
The spring camp season is about halfway finished with a few more events on the calendar before summer. The 2026 rankings have undergone massive changes since the beginning of the process and over the last few months have seen seismic alterations. Advertisement The top of many of the positions have come into focus but there are still some major questions at premium positions. 2026 RIVALS250 REFRESH: New schedule explained | Updated Rivals250 revealed | Biggest storylines | Prospects on the five-star radar | Three big jumps RUMOR MILL: Intel flows from trip to North Carolina | Big decisions coming for nation's elite CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker QUARTERBACK Faizon Brandon has held the No. 1 spot in the quarterback rankings since February but he has not separated himself from the pack. The Tennessee commit has all the physical tools you could ask for in a quarterback prospect but it'll be interesting to see how he handles complicated defensive schemes at the next level. Advertisement Meanwhile Ryder Lyons, Jared Curtis and Keisean Henderson are right on his heels in the rankings and each have special qualities that give them a strong case to be at the top of the quarterback rankings. How will Lyons adjust to playing within a system at the next level instead of being able to freelance whenever he wants? Curtis will have to deal with a massive jump in competition in college and adjust to the much faster defenses. Henderson is an outstanding athlete who has grown as a quarterback by leaps and bounds over the last couple years but will he improve fast enough to have a similar impact at the college level? All four of these quarterbacks will face a fairly steep learning curve at the next level but how quickly will they be able to adjust and then continue to improve as potential NFL prospects? The national analyst team will learn a lot about them during the remainder of spring camp season and at the elite summer camps. OFFENSIVE TACKLE The depth of this offensive line class is awfully impressive and the offensive tackles at the top of the rankings are the types of prospects who can make an early impact at the college level. Advertisement Jackson Cantwell has been a five-star and the No. 1 offensive tackle since the beginning of the 2026 rankings cycle. A son of former Olympians, Cantwell put together excellent junior film and performed very well at the Under Armour All-America Game earlier this year. He is also a track and field star, which adds to his high-end evaluation. Playing in Missouri, there will likely be an adjustment period for him as he gets used to the speed and strength combination he'll see from defensive linemen at the college level. Immanuel Iheanacho is one of the most college-ready offensive linemen we've seen in years. The Maryland native is already the size of NFL players and possesses elite strength, flexibility, and overall athleticism for his size. He is extremely intelligent and should have no problem picking up the blocking schemes at the next level but will he be able to bring the necessary intensity to the trenches at the next level? Five-star Felix Ojo is just slightly behind Cantwell and Iheanacho from a physical perspective but his frame, athleticism and technical skills are elite. He has the look of a franchise left tackle and that's likely what he'll become if he's able to add the strength and mass necessary to excel at the next level. The order of these three prospects in the Rivals250 is still unsettled. DEFENSIVE END Richard Wesley is the only five-star defensive end in the 2026 Rivals250 right now, which is awfully impressive considering he was a 2027 prospect up until recently. The California native is an elite athlete at the position and the fact that he was so dominant as a sophomore but is still held in such high regard should signal our opinion of his potential. Will being a younger prospect slow his development once he reaches the college level? How will he handle competing with older and more physically mature offensive linemen? These are important questions to address before the rankings are final but is his ranking as the No. 1 defensive end in the Rivals250 in danger? That remains to be seen because the defensive ends behind him in the rankings don't have much momentum right now. Advertisement Are there enough uncertainties surrounding Wesley to give an opening to players like Aiden Harris, Tyson Bacon, Bryce Perry-Wright, Pierre Dean or others? Harris is on the smaller side for defensive end but he plays with outstanding energy. Bacon has shown a number of inconsistencies in his game while the ceiling for Perry-Wright is a bit murky. Dean was considered one of the best offensive line prospects in this class but the way he has developed has caused teams to think about him as more of a defensive end and right now he even admits he has a long way to go at that position. EDGE DEFENDER Nick Lucero/ Advertisement The edge defender position is loaded with outstanding pass rushers who college coaches hope to insert as game-wreckers in their scheme. Anthony 'Tank' Jones out of Alabama has been a five-star since August of last year. The dominant pass rusher earned his ranking after an impressive showing last offseason and he continued to show a dominant streak as a junior. Since then though, he has not sought out opportunities to compete against future Power Four prospects, leaving open a window for others to pass him in the rankings. The top pass rushers in the NFL Draft and the ones already playing professionally are ultra competitive. It's what sets them apart from the still incredibly talented players who are selected outside of the first round of the NFL Draft and may still be buried on NFL depth charts. Meanwhile, pass rushers like Jake Kreul, Zion Elee, Jamarian Carlton and many others are charging up the rankings and could soon join Jones among the five-stars. Kreul has flourished in every competitive environment he's been in and he continues to physically mature. His performance during the upcoming season at IMG Academy will tell us a lot about where he is at in his developmental progression. Elee might be the most talented pass rusher off the edge in this class. His physical tools put him in rare air and it's just a matter of time before he rounds out his skill set. Carlton has grown by leaps and bounds during the process and has proven to be one of the more well-rounded pass rushers in this class. He still has plenty of room to grow, which should be scary for college offensive line coaches. CORNERBACK Cornerback has been the most hotly debated position during rankings calls in recent months and there are a number of players who could end up on top of the heap. Elbert Hill was elevated to No. 1 at cornerback in August of last year after an outstanding offseason and impressive performances at multiple elite camps. He had a strong junior season but this offseason has been a little up and down for the Ohio native. Hill has proven to have elite speed and has good arm length but it's been difficult to handle some of the bigger and more physical receivers who are plus route runners. We'll find out more about his development as the offseason continues. Advertisement Right on Hill's heels in the rankings is new member of the 2026 class Havon Finney Jr. The five-star and former 2027 prospect has an elite skill set and is physically mature beyond his years. So far he has seemed unfazed by the step up in competition and could be poised to rise again in the rankings if his performances remain consistent throughout the rest of the offseason. Among the four-star cornerbacks there is a long list of potential five-stars who could challenge for No. 1 at the position. Samari Matthews, Brandon Lockhart and Jorden Edmonds are the three closest to earning their fifth star right now and each bring something a little different to the field. Just over six feet tall, Matthews is the shortest of the three but he has great length, can play physically but isn't too handsy, and has elite instincts. Speed hasn't been an issue for him in the past but it would be good to see him tested against some of the fastest and best route runners this class has to offer. Lockhart and Edmonds are bigger cornerbacks who can deter quarterbacks from even looking their way given their length. They have a knack for forcing bad passes as well. Lockhart has a lot of experience against high-end receivers and it will be interesting to see how he deals with some of the stronger and more physical receivers in this class. Edmonds has no problem covering big, strong receivers but the speed metrics he has posted are a bit concerning and raise questions about how he projects to the college level and beyond. Zyan Gibson, Davon Benjamin, Dorian Barney, RJ Sermons and Jaelen Waters are just some of the other cornerbacks who have made noise as potential five-stars.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gorney's Predictions: Ryder Lyons, Kaydin Jones, LaDamion Guyton
Nick Lucero/ Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney has three predictions on five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons, four-star running back Kaydin Jones and the top of the 2027 rankings. MORE GORNEY: Washington finds a secret recruiting weapon | Recruiting Rumor Mill | Ranking the 10 biggest commitments after a massive weekend CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker Ryder Lyons is one of the most interesting prospects in the 2026 class both on and off the field and his recruitment has taken some interesting turns recently. Once considered a near USC lock, that all changed once four-star QB Jonas Williams flipped his pledge from Oregon to the Trojans. USC is still being considered by Lyons (the location, playing for Lincoln Riley and his brother plays there are all factors) but now Oregon, Michigan and BYU are the other three frontrunners. This is where it gets especially interesting with another five-star quarterback Jared Curtis, who is down to Oregon and Georgia, visited both schools in recent days and should be close to a final decision. If Curtis picks the Ducks then Lyons might be down to Michigan and BYU. If Curtis re-commits to Georgia then Oregon might emerge as the frontrunner for Lyons. If the Folsom, Calif., standout softly eliminates Oregon considering Curtis' next move then the Wolverines could be sitting really pretty. Lyons has a ton of confidence and swagger and might pick BYU in a shocking recruiting move but Michigan looks strongest now according to sources. By the time Lyons gets through his senior season, then a one-year Mormon mission, he could go to Ann Arbor for one season, presumably sit behind Bryce Underwood for one year and learn, Underwood would then be off to the NFL and Lyons could step in. It never works out so easily (just ask Arch Manning who had to wait for two years behind Quinn Ewers) but that's the idea. Michigan is emerging and is now the team to beat. Unless something unforeseen happens, the Wolverines will get Lyons. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MICHIGAN FANS AT Over the weekend, Kaydin Jones visited Kansas and after the trip he said the coaching staff told him they're just waiting on him to commit. 'Coaches continue to tell me they're waiting on me and whenever I want to jump in they'd be ready,' Jones said. And then the four-star running back from Jenks, Okla., said something pretty surprising: 'KU is standing out the most.' Oklahoma had been considered the far-and-away leader for Jones but after talking to some people it looks as if the Sooners have moved on to other targets, such as Jonathan Hatton Jr., Baylor four-star commit Ryelan Morris and others. Oklahoma State and others are in the picture as well. But Kansas has emerged as the team to beat for the seventh-best all-purpose back in the class. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH KANSAS FANS AT Of the last 24 NFL Drafts dating back to 2000, there have been 18 quarterbacks taken first, four defensive ends and two offensive tackles. Based on that stark statistic alone, it would behoove us in the rankings business to focus very much on putting a quarterback No. 1 nearly every recruiting cycle. That has been the case in recent years except for Jeremiah Smith because he was such a no-brainer No. 1 along with Travis Hunter because of the same reason. But the 2027 class still seems wide open in terms of the top-rated player. Right now, Elijah Haven, Peyton Houston and Ohio State commit Brady Edmunds are the top-three quarterbacks in the class. Edmunds was excellent at the recent Rivals Camp in Los Angeles. The current No. 1 is Savannah (Ga.) Benedictine Military School edge rusher LaDamion Guyton, who is fantastic off the edge, super fast, productive and he hits like a truck. The issue here is that of the four defensive ends taken No. 1 overall, they were physical specimens that looked like they were built in a lab. Guyton is a big-time player but at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, I'm not sure he's there yet. Mario Williams was 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds. Jadeveon Clowney was 6-foot-5 and 266 pounds and arguably the best high school football player I've ever seen. Myles Garrett might be second on that list and was insanely dominant in high school. And Travon Walker was right on the cusp of a five-star ranking and one we still ache over. Guyton is really good. But is he a surefire No. 1? History would argue against it.
