You’d think Oregon sitting pretty at No. 4 in the 2026 recruiting class would mean that Dan Lanning has everything under control. Well, not so much. Oregon is currently battling it out against some big-time programs for one of the country’s top prospects. Ryder Lyons is being pursued straight-up by head coaches, along with assistant ones. However, in a surprise insider revelation, a sneak attack is coming up from a program that is ranked far below in the class.
Ryder Lyons is a right wonder of a quarterback. Combining his sophomore and junior years in high school, he produced a whopping 6,589 yards and 84 touchdowns. Not only that, On3 gives him a 5-star rating and ranks him as the 4th best QB in the class. Lyons is also touted to be one of the top signal-callers of that group. Dan Lanning will have the prize of the season if he manages to get Lyons to commit to the Ducks. He’ll have to roll up his sleeves for that because he’d have to fight what seems to have grown as a new favorite program of Lyons.
Rider dropped in at Ole Miss on April 3, more than a couple of months after the first visit he made with his mom. The Rebels are one of Lyons’ six favorite programs. Ole Miss analyst Billy Embody told One3’s Josh Newberg in an April 9 video, “The five-star quarterback Ryder Lions was back in Oxford for what I believe to be the first time since last summer.” He gave an update on what Lyons saw on campus. “He made the trek out there for multiple days, got a chance to see spring practice under Lane Kiffin.” However, what stands out for him is how Kiffin shaped former QB Jaxson Dart.
That’s where the alarm bells ring for Dan Lanning. Embody added, “After watching this season unfold for Jackson Dart and his rise up the quarterback board, I think you’re seeing Ryder Lions kind of [seeing] himself a little bit more as a Ole Miss quarterback.” According to Embody, Lyons and Dart seem to be similar in some aspects. He noted “the big physical skill set that [Lyons] brings to the table, kind of similar to what Jackson Dart brings as far as a little bit of a runner, to that toughness, that edge to his game. Ryder Lions sees a lot of that.” There’s also the staff that seems to attract the star quarterback.
The head coach and his assistants have been at work. Embody said, “He got to spend a lot of time with Lane Kiffin, Charlie Weis Jr., Joe Judge, who’s coaching the quarterbacks as well, and kind of can see the path to development and how that works out.” The most unfortunate part of this for Lanning is that Ole Miss is now “securely in the picture for Lyons moving forward,” according to Embody. Imagine that the No. 38 ranked program in the class is now a surprise favorite for a top recruit. Lyons, however, might have a unique reason to keep his options open.
Why Dan Lanning has more reason to worry about Ryder Lyons
Back in Oregon, Lanning isn’t just vying for Lyons. He’s also going after Jared Curtis. Also, he is a five-star quarterback, so he might have an edge over Lyons. On3 ranks him as the best quarterback prospect in the class and the 4th best prospect nationally. In his 3 years of high school football, Curtis has produced 7,665 passing yards and 92 touchdowns. And because Dan Lanning is keeping him in consideration, Lyons is keeping his options open.
According to Rivals’ Adam Gorney, where Curtis goes determines if Lyons will pick Oregon. If the former chose the Ducks, Gorney thinks the latter would likely move to Michigan or Baylor. However, Lyons also knows that Lanning is pushing hard for him. He told Sports Illustrated that he talks with Oregon “all the time.” “Coach Lanning, Coach (Will) Stein… pretty great relationship with those two, my whole family, which is pretty incredible,” Lyons claimed.
It looks like Lyons has some serious decision-making to do with all his prospects in line. He also reportedly wants to make his choice before sthe enior season. Also, he wants to be on a one-year mission with the LDS before he begins his college career. In another blow to Dan Lanning’s ardent pursuit, Ole Miss having this aspect is why it will move up on Lyons’ list. Where do you think Lyons will end up?
The post Tough Blow for Dan Lanning’s Oregon as 5-Star Ryder Lyons’ College Football Inclination Nearly Confirmed in Latest Intel appeared first on EssentiallySports.