USC tries to close the deal for elite 2026 QB Ryder Lyons

Lincoln Riley hopes to ride with Ryder.

Ryder Lyons has received a USC football crystal ball. The top-two quarterback in the 2026 class could give the Trojans top-two quarterbacks in consecutive recruiting classes. Julian Lewis is the No. 1 quarterback in 2025 after reclassifying.

We wrote about Lyons in May:

Lyons is a 6-foot-2, 205-pound prospect. He is the younger brother of 2024 four star USC tight end signee Walker Lyons, who is currently serving a mission with the Latter Day Saints in Norway.

Lyons, a dual-threat quarterback, finished his sophomore season with 3,500 passing yards, 950 rushing yards, and 61 total touchdowns.

“I’m probably gonna go on some visits in May or early June. I’ll probably go see USC, Oregon, Michigan, Texas A&M, Georgia, BYU, Notre Dame. I’m just gonna try my best. Those are probably the schools that I like right now a lot.”

Let’s see if Lincoln Riley can bring this one home. Quarterback isn’t the most pressing need for the program, but Lincoln Riley won’t hurt his reputation by continuing to bring in the best of the best signal-callers in the country. The timing is perfect because Ryder, like his brother Walker will go on a one year Latter-day Saint mission and will return to compete for the starting job in 2027 — Lewis’ junior season.

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USC target Ryder Lyons named top 10 prospect in 2026 class

We will see if Lincoln Riley can extend his USC line of succession at the quarterback spot.

Folsom (California) four-star quarterback Ryder Lyons is very much in demand. He was named the No. 7 overall prospect in the 2026 class and the No. 2 quarterback in the class by 247Sports. Lincoln Riley has very carefully lined up his quarterback rooms for the next few years at USC. He would love to add Lyons, a player he has met and is courting.

Lyons is a 6-foot-2, 205-pound prospect. He is the younger brother of 2024 four star USC tight end signee Walker Lyons, who is currently serving a mission with the Latter Day Saints in Norway.

Lyons, a dual-threat quarterback, finished his sophomore season with 3,500 passing yards, 950 rushing yards, and 61 total touchdowns.

“I’m probably gonna go on some visits in May or early June. I’ll probably go see USC, Oregon, Michigan, Texas A&M, Georgia, BYU, Notre Dame. I’m just gonna try my best. Those are probably the schools that I like right now a lot.”

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Check out more NFL draft coverage with the USA TODAY Sports NFL Draft Hub.

Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame coaches watch California quarterback workout

Multiple Irish coaches were on hand to watch the 2026 quarterback go through drills

Starting on Tuesday, coaches are allowed to get back on the road recruiting and the Notre Dame football staff was taking full advantage of it.

Head coach Marcus Freeman along with quarterback coach Gino Guidugli and wide receiver coach Mike Brown headed to California to watch 2026 quarterback [autotag]Ryder Lyons[/autotag] go through a workout.

The Irish offered Lyons back in August of last year, so they are very well aware of his potential. Multiple other schools followed suit after Notre Dame, with Arkansas making an offer shortly after the conclusion of the workout.

Lyons isn’t currently ranked by the major services, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be soon. His 2026 class does not have many of its prospects ranked at this moment.

The recruitment of quarterbacks, both via the transfer portal and high school ranks, has taken a massive leap with Freeman at the helm. He understands the importance of stacking that room and looks to continue that by their pursuit of Lyons.

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