Southern California’s sunshine is turning into a serious storm for Lincoln Riley. No matter how hard he paddles, the current’s pulling him under. USC’s yearly record? It’s been a rough ride, from 11 wins to 8, then 7, and 2025 isn’t looking much better. 2026 was supposed to be the rescue boat, a fresh start with Ryder Lyons‘ commitment. But now, even that big fish might be slipping away, with a Big Ten rival ready to reel him in.
Ryder Lyons might’ve draped a USC towel over his shoulder at the Rivals Camp Series, but don’t be fooled—the Trojans aren’t leading the pack anymore. The five-star QB from Folsom, California, who snagged QB MVP honors and impressed everyone, is keeping his options open. When asked if USC was still his top choice, Ryder’s answer spoke volumes. He said, “I would say that, yeah, that has been fair. Maybe not as much anymore, but I mean, my brother goes there, which is obviously a big thing. But yeah, that could be fair, but I think I’m a little bit more open now.”
Despite USC having a strong 97% prediction on On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine, Ryder Lyons is exploring other avenues. While he shares a last name and bloodline with USC tight end Walker Lyons, Ryder isn’t locked in with the Trojans. He’s made it clear he’s “a little bit more open now,” indicating a significant shift. One major reason? USC just flipped four-star quarterback Jonas Williams from Oregon, shaking up the depth chart. As Rivals reported, Williams is now USC’s sole QB commitment for 2026, and Riley’s aggressive pursuit of another elite signal-caller complicates Lyons’ potential path.
It’s not that Lyons is shying away from a challenge. As he says, “They did just flip Jonas Williams, but to be honest, I’m not very scared of competition; there’s going to be competition anywhere I go, so I’m going to have to compete. I know that; I’m very confident in myself. USC’s still in it for sure.” So, what’s really changed for him?
Ryder Lyons, explaining his sudden change of heart, says, “I mean, I don’t know, a bunch of stuff. I went out in the summer, I saw a bunch of places, I’ll see a bunch of places in the spring, and I’ll take official visits. I’ll probably make a decision in July. I mean, I’m just going to take my time. Once I commit, I’m not going to entertain other schools, so it’s just a big decision for me.” And honestly, that’s fair. Who doesn’t like to shop around before locking something in? Just look at Julian Lewis, who kept everyone guessing until the very end, even after committing to USC. So, while USC’s still got him as a top priority, other powerhouses, including their Big Ten rivals, are definitely trying to snag him. Lyons’ decision won’t just be about family ties; it’s about finding the best route to the next level.
Plus, here’s the kicker—even though he’s a 2026 recruit, Ryder Lyons plans to do an LDS mission after high school, so he won’t hit college until 2027. That extra time just makes his choice even bigger. And let’s be real, he’s earned the right to call the shots. Lyons just finished tearing it up at Folsom, throwing for 2,874 yards and 44 touchdowns and rushing for another 556 yards and 12 scores. With numbers like that, he’s holding all the cards. And get this? He’s already got a favorite in mind.
Ryder Lyons’ massive inclination towards a B1G team
Let’s not kid ourselves—landing Ryder Lyons’ commitment would be a major victory for Lincoln Riley and USC. However, competing with top national teams is no easy task. At present, Dan Lanning’s Oregon Ducks are not just a threat—they are dominating. Fresh from winning a conference title, boasting a talented roster, and consistently recruiting top talent, they are in a strong position. Lyons knows the deal, and with Oregon high on his list, USC’s got a real fight on their hands.
But why Oregon? “I mean, there’s a bunch of stuff. Their whole brand, Coach [Will] Stein, Coach [Dan] Lanning, has made it very clear to me that—because a big thing with Lanning is just how long is Coach going to be there? He’s the best OC in the country, arguably one of them, so they picked up pretty fast. He’s been there for three years,” Lyons said. Now, can you blame him, though? We all know the history of Oregon with QBs. They developed big talents for the NFL, like Bo Nix. And let’s not forget that even Dan Lanning has improved his record in each of his three seasons with a 10-3, 12-2, and 13-1 record.
Just last year, Oregon sent eight players to the NFL Draft—the most in a single class. Let’s be real, it’s not easy to fight against their elite coaching and rock-solid foundation. And their partnership with Phil Knight and Nike gives them a significant edge in the NIL game. The lure of Eugene might tempt Lyons to leave, leaving USC in the trenches. But the ultimate question remains: will he stay home or opt for the promising opportunities at Oregon?
The post 5-Star Ryder Lyons Delivers Tough News for Lincoln Riley’s USC as Crucial Factor Confirms Inclination for B1G Rival appeared first on EssentiallySports.