Well, only 25 Saturdays stand between now and the return of college football, but the recruiting war never stops. No one knows that better than Ryder Lyons, a 5-star QB with 28 offers in hand, making each of them battle for him. And even his quarterback trainer, Danny Hernandez, knows his worth, as he puts it: “You look at him, and he could easily be a future Heisman winner.” Lyons meets all the criteria coaches and fans desire, hence the continuous influx of offers. Yet, a surprising link between Ryder and Shedeur Sanders’ QB coach might give the Buffs an edge, changing the game’s dynamics.

So, the speculation mill started from Nike’s The Next Ones event. Where 33 elite high school football players gathered in New Orleans for a Super Bowl LIX lead-up, where each NFL team and Europe’s NFL Academy chose one player to compete in a one-day Combine. The players showcased their skills, learned from NFL legends, and received guidance from top mentors. Ryder Lyons not only participated in the event but also had a conversation with Shedeur Sanders’ personal QB trainer, Darrell Colbert Jr. This conversation further fueled the intrigue surrounding Lyons’ recruitment, as top programs competed for his commitment.

Colorado’s offer to Ryder Lyons, combined with his growing bond with Darrell, is pushing him towards the Buffs. And if you don’t know what relationship means to Lyons, wait for what comes next. After the event, when asked what draws him to a program, Ryder Lyons made it clear: “So that’s just my relationship with the coaches is the biggest thing to me and the kind of the whole culture of their program. I want to go somewhere I feel love, but also I’m going to be pushed, and I want a good environment somewhere I want to work somewhere. I want to put all my effort.” Now, only time will reveal how Lyons’ bond with Darrell shapes his future.

Even with all that, the list of teams chasing Ryder Lyons is long. It’s evident that the Buffs are rooting high to recruit him, but it won’t be easy. Adding to the intrigue is Lyons’ plan to embark on an LDS mission after high school, delaying his college football debut until 2027. Currently, Oregon and Michigan are in the lead, with BYU, Arizona, and USC also showing interest. North Carolina and Bill Belichick have recently joined the recruitment race, adding to the chaos. And let’s not forget USC is sitting on the top with a 97% prediction on On3.

But can anyone blame them? Who wouldn’t want this guy? Ryder Lyons sits as No. 10 overall prospect and No. 4 quarterback in the 2026 class by On3. Plus, Lyons holds the No. 1 spot in California. And let’s not forget his outstanding performance in 2024, where he accumulated 2,874 passing yards, 44 touchdowns, 556 rushing yards, and 12 additional scores, earning him the prestigious Gatorade California Player of the Year award.

Now, one thing can surely make a difference, and that’s the NIL. A hefty NIL is also something Ryder Lyons is eyeing, as he says, “Yeah, you have to take advantage of the opportunities that are there; obviously, anyone who says they’re not is lying. I mean, that’s an important thing. I mean, you got to make sure they’re invested in.” But Ryder Lyon’s recent move might send chills to all other programs eyeing him.

Ryder Lyons’ surprise visit to an FCS team

Well, Ryder Lyons made waves in the recruiting scene by surprising everyone with a visit to Brennan Marion’s Sacramento State on March 7. Marion, known for his offensive prowess akin to USC HC Lincoln Riley, recently took the helm of the program and aims to elevate it to the FBS level.

Bringing his high-powered Go-Go offense, fresh from success at UNLV where Jayden Maiava excelled and earned Mountain West Freshman of the Year, Marion is not only upgrading the team’s play but also overseeing the construction of a new stadium with a substantial $35 million in NIL support. Clearly, Sacramento State is making a significant push, and Lyons’ visit is adding fuel to the fire.

However, everything could change when Lyons visits Ann Arbor on April 12-13. His mother, Kamee Lyons, expressed great excitement for the trip, and the reasons are apparent. Michigan faced a twist in their quarterback situation after their 2026 commit, Brady Hart, reclassified to 2025 and headed to Texas A&M right after the recruitment of Bryce Underwood. This unexpected turn created a prime opportunity, with Lyons now emerging as a top priority for the team. Due to his dynamic skill set, some have already drawn comparisons between him and former Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy.

Michigan’s head coach, Sherrone Moore, is strategic and calculated in his recruiting approach, not haphazard. If the Wolverines’ interest in Lyons probably indicates a well-thought-out strategy. The question is, do Sacramento State and the Buffs’ recent links with the team give Sherrone Moore and other teams a chance to land him?