USC rises in On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings

USC landed a big win on National Signing Day as Folsom (Calif.) four-star tight end Walker Lyons committed to the Trojans. He was previously pledged to Stanford.

Landing Lyons moved USC’s 2023 recruiting class up one spot to No. 13 in the 2023 On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings. The Trojans’ group also ranks No. 2 in the Pac-12.

Lyons is the No. 119 overall prospect and No. 7 tight end in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 10 player in California.

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Lyons adds to offensive talent in USC’s 2023 class

Lyons is the second tight end commit in USC’s class, alongside Lynden (Wash.) Lynden Christian School three-star Kade Eldridge. He is also one of many talented offensive recruits heading to Los Angeles.

They include Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver Zachariah Branch, Los Alamitos (Calif.) Five-Star Plus+ quarterback Malachi Nelson and Los Alamitos (Calif.) four-star wide receiver Makai Lemon. All three players are ranked in the top 40 of the On3 Consensus.

Branch and Lemon are the No. 1 and No. 6 wide receivers in the 2023 class, recently. Additionally, Nelson is the No. 5 quarterback this cycle.

Lyons gives the Trojans pledges from seven top-200 recruits. The others are Branch, Lemon, Nelson, Friendswood (Texas) four-star EDGE Braylan Shelby, Many (La.) four-star linebacker Tackett Curtis and
Manor (Texas) four-star running back Quinten Joyner.

Walker Lyons On3 Scouting Summary

The following is the On3 Scouting Summary for Walker Lyons:

“One of the more polished pass catchers at the tight end position in the 2023 recruiting cycle. Lines up with his hand in the dirt as a true in-line Y, splits out wide and lines up in the slot as a flex option. Excellent body control and ability to contort his frame to be in the best position to catch the football. Measured in at 6-foot-5, just under 230 pounds. Had 44 receptions for 746 yards and 9 touchdowns as a junior. Helped lead NorCal powerhouse Folsom High to a state championship final as a junior. 

“Twitchy off the line of scrimmage and has tremendous wiggle for his size as a route runner. Shows some explosiveness as a hooper on the hardwood. Needs to be more violent in the run game as a blocker but does have willingness. May not have the length or pure catch radius of some other top tight end prospects. Expected to take a two-year LDS mission.”