Look, one thing we all have to agree upon is that 2025 No. 1 QB and Michigan commit Bryce Underwood has created a revolution bagging that $12M. And to be clear, wouldn’t any of us have done the same, if we were to be Bryce? There’s nothing to be shy about thinking about a better life for yourself. As far as the No. 4 QB in the 2026 class, Ryder Lyons is concerned, he has seen the noise, the debates, the outrage—and he’s not buying into any of it. And he’d probably say the same.

The five-star quarterback has watched the seismic shift in college football unfold in real-time, and like every elite recruit, he’s paying attention. But for Ryder Lyons, a top-10 prospect in the 2026 cycle, there’s no controversy—just reality. If a program values you that highly, why should you be afraid to acknowledge it? Lyons, a California gunslinger out of Folsom, is one of the most coveted quarterbacks in the country, and his commitment will undoubtedly shake up the recruiting landscape.

The 6-foot-2 signal-caller has narrowed his focus to three programs: Oregon Ducks, USC Trojans, and BYU Cougars. All three bring something unique to the table—Oregon’s explosive offensive system and aggressive recruiting efforts, USC’s deep quarterback lineage and proximity to home, and BYU’s intriguing pitch as a program that has quietly built a strong foundation for quarterbacks. But in today’s world, it’s about more than just fit. NIL has changed the game, and Mr. Lyons isn’t shying away from that conversation.

Speaking to On3’s Ari Wasserman during the OT7 tournament, Lyons pulled back the curtain on a topic many recruits hesitate to discuss publicly. “The thing is 99% of the world, if you got offered $150K more to take this job, most people are taking it,” he said, cutting through the noise like a true lion at heart.

It’s not just about the money—it’s about what the money represents. Lyons put it, “The whole thing for me about the NIL space is how much they believe in you, you know? If they’re going to invest all this money into you, then…” before Wasserman interjected, “That’s also a sign of trust.” Lyons continued, “Yeah, trust, I believe in you like you’re our guy. That’s the biggest part to me.” So trust! That’s the word that sticks. In a sport where a single coaching change can flip a player’s entire trajectory, NIL deals aren’t just financial windfalls—they’re statements of faith.

Bryce Underwood, who experienced the full force of Michigan’s recruiting machine, including direct conversations with Tom Brady, knows firsthand what NIL leverage looks like. “I talked to Tom Brady before, so that’s one of the biggest and the main ones that I’ve talked to,” he said. “Just a great experience.” But the biggest bombshell didn’t come from a GOAT endorsement—it came from On3’s Pete Nakos, who reported the staggering figure was sponsored by some “heavy hitters,” with billionaire Larry Ellison, being one.

Lyons, watching from the 2026 class, understands the implications. “I think people don’t want to talk about it because, yeah, you get bashed online, you get bashed on social media,” he explained. “Because they think that you’re not focused? I guess.” The noise, the judgment, the purists who want recruits to pretend NIL doesn’t matter—it’s all background chatter to a player who sees the bigger picture.

One program that certainly isn’t pretending NIL doesn’t exist is Oregon. With Phil Knight’s name, image, likeness (NIL) money, the Ducks have been as aggressive as anyone in the space, and Lyons has taken notice. Oregon’s head coach has made it clear they’re all in on the five-star quarterback, rolling out the full-court press to secure his commitment. It’s not about pretending NIL is the only factor; it’s about acknowledging its role in shaping the future of college football.

Ryder Lyons is more than just a ‘moneyman’

When it comes to Oregon’s recruiting dominance, five-star Ryder Lyons wants to set the record straight—it’s not just about Phil Knight’s deep pockets. In a conversation with On3’s Steve Wiltfong, Lyons opened up about what makes the Ducks such an attractive destination. His bond with offensive coordinator Will Stein and head coach Dan Lanning is a major factor in his recruitment.

“Coach Stein, coach Lanning, how they’re doing as a program, they’re just building and building,” Lyons said. “Me and coach Stein have a great relationship, probably the best out of any other coaches. They’ve been recruiting me the hardest probably, the whole time.” Oregon’s aggressive recruiting approach is often overshadowed by talk of NIL money tied to Nike co-founder Phil Knight, but Lyons made it clear that the Ducks’ appeal runs much deeper than that.

“How they’re recruiting, a lot of people like to say it’s all Phil Knight money, but they don’t really understand how good they recruit,” he continued. “Their culture is probably one of the best I’ve seen. How they play as a team, how they interact with each other.” With the reigning Big Ten champions sitting at No. 2 in the 2026 recruiting rankings—even without a quarterback committed yet—it’s safe to say Oregon is building something special.