Ryder Lyons

Physical Profile

Lyons has a well-built, stocky frame for the quarterback position, listed at approximately 6-foot-2.5 and 220 pounds. This build provides him with the durability to withstand contact in the pocket and toughness to be a physical runner. His athleticism is a key attribute, highlighted by a 36-inch vertical jump at the Elite 11 camp, which speaks to his lower-body explosiveness and translates to his ability to escape pressure and create plays off-script.

Play Style

Lyons is a dynamic and creative quarterback who thrives in high-pressure situations. He is most comfortable making improvisational plays, using his movement to lure defenders while keeping his eyes downfield to make big throws. He is a high-usage player who is fearless as both a passer and a runner, with a knack for making critical plays when his team needs them most. His game film showcases a player who never believes a play is dead and has the arm talent to make any throw on the field and the running ability to be a consistent scoring threat on the ground.

Strengths

• Dual-Threat Playmaking: Lyons is exceptionally dangerous when plays break down, using his creativity and athleticism to extend plays and find receivers downfield or gain significant yardage with his legs. He accounted for a combined 61 all-purpose touchdowns as a sophomore and has demonstrated a consistent ability to shred defenses with both his arm and his legs.
• Advanced Arm Talent: He possesses a live arm with a quick release and the ability to make throws from various arm angles and platforms, whether inside or outside the pocket. He demonstrates accuracy to all three levels of the field, showing the touch to drop deep balls in and the velocity to fit passes into tight windows.
• Poise Under Pressure: A proven winner who has led his team on multiple fourth-quarter, championship-winning drives. He is a tough, highly competitive player who will stand in the pocket and deliver the ball while taking a hit, and he does not get rattled by pressure or taunting from opponents.

Areas to Improve

• Over-Reliance on Improvisation: At times, can be too quick to bail from a clean pocket and rely on his scrambling ability rather than stepping up and making a rhythm throw from within the offensive structure. Continued development in processing defenses and trusting his initial reads will be key at the next level.
• Mechanical Consistency: While he can throw from multiple arm angles, ensuring consistent mechanics on every throw will lead to even greater accuracy and velocity. Fine-tuning his footwork within the pocket during his drop-back will be a point of emphasis.

College Projection

Lyons is projected to be a multi-year, high-impact starter at the Power Four level. After committing to BYU, he plans to serve a two-year LDS mission before enrolling. Upon his return, he has the raw talent and proven production to compete for the starting job early in his career. He has the ceiling to become one of the top quarterbacks in college football.

NFL Outlook

As a consensus five-star prospect and one of the top quarterbacks in his class, Lyons possesses a significant NFL upside. His combination of arm talent, elite athleticism, and proven leadership gives him the foundation to be a future early-round NFL Draft pick. Continued development in his processing and mechanics will be crucial, but he projects as a long-term professional player.

Best Fit

A spread offensive scheme that utilizes the quarterback's mobility and allows for creative, off-script playmaking would be an ideal fit. An offense that incorporates designed quarterback runs, RPOs (Run-Pass Options), and moving pockets will maximize his dual-threat capabilities and allow him to attack defenses in multiple ways.