5-star Ryder Lyons makes BYU choice on Pat McAfee Show

While some high school football athletes like to tell recruiting insiders their commitment and have a spiffy announcement graphic and others go the route of the hats on the table, Tuesday was another example of a new trend: Hopping on The Pat McAfee Show.

2026 5-star quarterback Ryder Lyons announced his commitment Tuesday afternoon on McAfee’s ESPN show. Lyons became the latest high school athlete to make his decision public while talking to one of the country’s most listened to radio shows.

BREAKING NEWS: “I will be going to Brigham Young University..

GO COUGS” ~ @ryderly0ns #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/RsRhMyVm0Q

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 24, 2025

Lyons isn’t the first big time high school signal caller to hop on the McAfee Show and make an announcement. Last year, Julian Lewis made his commitment to Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes on McAfee’s show after he had been a USC commit since the summer of 2023.

According to the On3 Industry rankings, Lyons is ranked No. 17 overall nationally, No. 5 at quarterback and No. 3 in the state of California.

The passer is coming off a strong junior 2024 campaign with the Folsom Bulldogs, completing 211-of-310 passes for 3,011 yards, 46 touchdowns and a mere six interceptions. Lyons is also plenty capable of running the rock as well, rushing for 585 yards and scoring 14 times.

The quarterback made a name for himself his sophomore season at Folsom, with Lyons throwing for 3,578 yards and 38 touchdowns. Lyons also was prolific on the ground, rushing for 924 yards on 226 carries and finding pay dirt 23 times.