Folsom High School’s star quarterback Ryder Lyons, one of the most highly recruited high school football players in the country, has made his college choice official. On Tuesday morning, Lyons announced his commitment to Brigham Young University (BYU), marking a major milestone in an already celebrated prep career.
The decision comes after Lyons fielded dozens of offers from top programs across the country, including USC, Alabama, Oregon, and Ole Miss. But in the end, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound standout chose BYU, a university whose strong football tradition and values aligned closely with his own.
Lyons, who will enter his senior year this fall, has been nothing short of dominant since taking over as the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback. He owns a 25-4 record under center and has led Folsom to back-to-back Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championships. As a sophomore, he helped guide the Bulldogs to their fifth state title in school history and a regional Division 1-AA championship berth the following season.
The commitment to BYU comes on the heels of a remarkable junior campaign that earned Lyons national accolades. In December, he was named the 2024-25 Gatorade California Football Player of the Year, an award that recognizes not only athletic excellence but also academic achievement and exemplary character. Lyons threw for 2,874 yards and 44 touchdowns last season, while also rushing for 556 yards and 12 more scores. He finished the season with a perfect 4.0 GPA and has remained active in the community as a youth coach and church volunteer.
Ranked as the No. 1 player in California and No. 4 nationally in the Class of 2026 by Rivals.com, Lyons has long been on the radar of scouts and recruiters. His dual-threat skill set, leadership qualities, and poise under pressure have turned him into one of the most exciting high school quarterbacks in the nation.
With his college plans now decided, Lyons can turn his focus to one final campaign in a Folsom Bulldogs jersey. Expectations are sky-high, but so is the confidence in the quarterback who has already etched his name into Folsom football history—and who’s not done yet.
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