The Ohio State Buckeyes are making a strong push to recruit one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2026 class, five-star QB Ryder Lyons. However, it appears the Buckeyes aren’t gaining much ground in the race for his commitment.
On3’s Steve Wiltfong provided an update on Lyons’ recruitment on March 17, noting that while the Buckeyes remain in the mix, they aren’t currently among his top choices. Lyons has expressed “strong” interest in Ohio State, but his top three schools are the BYU Cougars, Oregon Ducks, and USC Trojans. According to Wiltfong, the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) favors USC, as Lyons nearly committed to the Trojans earlier. Lyons confirmed this during the Overtime OT7 event on Saturday, though he ultimately decided to hold off on a decision.
Wiltfong also highlighted that Oregon is recruiting Lyons the hardest, while BYU’s impressive season has caught his attention. Additionally, Lyons plans to visit the Michigan Wolverines and Ole Miss Rebels, two schools he has shown significant interest in, similar to Ohio State.
Wiltfong suggested that Oregon might be the team to beat in Lyons’ recruitment, especially if top-ranked 2026 quarterback Jared Curtis doesn’t end up with the Ducks. Curtis, the No. 1 QB in the class, is deciding between Oregon and the Georgia Bulldogs, and his choice could significantly impact Lyons’ decision. If Curtis chooses Oregon, it could potentially push Lyons toward other programs.
Even if Oregon is no longer an option for Lyons, Ohio State still faces an uphill battle to secure his commitment. Lyons is ranked as the No. 4 quarterback and the No. 16 overall prospect in the 2026 class according to the 247Sports composite rankings. He is also the No. 4 recruit from California in his class. As of now, the Buckeyes remain a long shot in the pursuit of this elite quarterback talent.
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