Ryder Lyons, the highly touted 5-star quarterback who just committed to BYU, will indeed be taking a significant detour before he ever steps onto the field for the Cougars: he plans to serve a one-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

This means that while he is a part of the 2026 recruiting class, he will not enroll at BYU until January 2027. His "freshman" season on the field won't be until the 2027 college football season.

Here's how this plays out and why it's a unique aspect of recruiting for BYU:

Post-High School Departure: Lyons confirmed during his commitment announcement on "The Pat McAfee Show" that he will submit his mission papers in August 2025, shortly after his high school graduation. He expects to receive his mission call, assigning him a location anywhere in the world, within a few weeks.

One-Year Mission: While the traditional full-time proselytizing mission for male members of the LDS Church is two years, it has become increasingly common for highly sought-after athletes to serve "one-year missions." This allows them to fulfill a religious obligation while also getting back to football sooner than a full two-year absence would entail. His older brother, Walker Lyons (now at USC), also served a one-year mission.

Unique to BYU's Program: BYU, as an LDS-owned and operated university, is uniquely equipped to handle mission deferrals. Their coaching staff and academic advisors are highly experienced in working with athletes who choose to serve missions. This includes holding scholarships, maintaining academic eligibility, and providing a smooth re-entry into the program upon their return. This structured support is a major advantage BYU holds over other major college football programs when recruiting LDS athletes.

Impact on BYU's QB Room: For BYU, Lyons's mission means he won't immediately compete for the starting quarterback job in 2026. This allows the current quarterbacks on the roster (like Jake Retzlaff, McCae Hillstead, and Treyson Bourguet, along with true freshman Bear Bachmeier) to develop and compete for the starting role in 2025 and 2026. If needed, BYU can still utilize the transfer portal for a one-year solution for the 2026 season, knowing that a generational talent like Lyons will be arriving in 2027.

Anticipation for 2027: When Lyons does enroll in January 2027, he's expected to participate in spring practices and immediately push for the starting quarterback position for the 2027 season. His talent and dual-threat capabilities are highly anticipated by the BYU coaching staff and fanbase.

Ryder Lyons's decision to serve a mission highlights the unique intersection of faith, family, and high-level college football that often defines BYU's recruiting approach. While it means a delay in seeing him on the field, it's a well-understood and supported part of the BYU athletic experience

#BYUfootball #BYUCougars #BYU #Big12Conference #Big12 #GoCougars #GoCougs #LockedOnCougars #BrighamYoungUniversity #RyderLyons #LatterDaySaints #ChurchOfJesusChrist

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Jake Hatch brings you daily coverage of the BYU Cougars with the Locked On Cougars Podcast. Locked On Cougars brings BYU fans the latest news and comprehensive coverage when it comes to the BYU football and basketball programs as well as a look at the other teams in the BYU athletic department. Jake gives you his unique insights and insider information about the Cougs as they continue "on the trail to fame and glory" every weekday, along with interviews with players, coaches, experts, and alumni that you will not find anywhere else.

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