Lyons Delays BYU Until 2027

June 29, 2025

Five-Star QB Ryder Lyons to Delay BYU Debut for LDS Mission—Won’t Take the Field Until 2027!

When I first saw the news that five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons wouldn’t play for BYU until 2027, my jaw dropped. You’d expect a top recruit to jump straight into college ball. But now we know why he’s choosing a different path—one rooted in faith, character, and commitment. On The Pat McAfee Show, Lyons shared his future plan: he’ll serve a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints right after high school, then head to BYU in 2027. That twist adds layers to his journey—one that goes beyond football.

Ryder Lyons grew up in Folsom, California, a place buzzing with high school football fame. At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, he’s built like a pro. His sophomore year he racked up 3,578 passing yards and 38 touchdowns, plus 929 rushing yards and 23 scores, landing Sacramento Bee’s Player of the Year. As a junior he threw for over 3,000 yards and 46 touchdowns, earning the California Gatorade Football Player of the Year award. That’s elite talent by any standards. ESPN ranks him No. 49 overall and among the top five pocket passers in the 2026 class. Offers from Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, USC—they all came calling. But he chose BYU, his first scholarship offer back in December 2021.

On the show, Pat McAfee—who once shared an Indy locker room with BYU alum Austin Collie—asked about balance: football, NIL, and the pressure of big-time recruitment. With surprising poise, Lyons said he already has an agent and team helping him with Name, Image, and Likeness deals. He said money isn’t everything but staying humble and focused is. McAfee admitted he was impressed: “He’s like a 45-year-old,” McAfee joked. But behind the laughter was genuine respect—Lyons seemed emotionally ready for the ride.

Then came the bigger part: the mission. Lyons told McAfee that he’ll submit his paperwork in August, then get assigned to serve anywhere, maybe even abroad, two or three weeks later. He recognizes that serving a mission means stepping away from football for a while. The off-ice decision wasn’t easy, but Lyons believes it’s important spiritually—and personally. He’ll finish his senior year at Folsom High, then step back from the game, pause his career, and serve faithfully. That means he won’t sign or play at BYU until spring 2027.

BYU programs often welcome returned missionaries, but still, Lyons’ path stands out. At least 65 players on the 2023 BYU football team served missions themselves, all representing 29 countries and speaking 15 languages. Lyons’ own older brother, Walker, also showed by example—he went to USC after his mission in Norway. The family clearly values service. Lyons didn’t have to go this route, but he chose to. That speaks volumes.

Hearings over this flexibility remind me of a blog post from By Common Consent, a Mormon blog. They applauded the option for athletes like Lyons—or others—to serve shorter missions. Hir-pocket my blog, they said, “Why not give a shorter mission option to everyone?” It spoke of understanding, choice, and serving better. In Lyons’ case, that model fits—letting him grow his faith and still join a top-tier program later.

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake must be relieved and proud. He didn’t just land a top QB. He gained a young man investing in his spiritual and emotional growth. Sitake has coached plenty of returned missionaries. He’s seen benefits—their maturity, commitment, and perspective enhance team culture. Lyons’ choice aligns with BYU’s mission-focused environment. So this is more than recruitment—it’s a lifestyle.

Next question: what awaits Lyons when he finally lands in Provo? He’ll have a chance to step into a quarterback room already buzzing with talent and NIL buzz. But coming off a mission, he’ll be older than typical freshmen. Physically he’ll be fresh—after two years of mental challenge and spiritual focus. His maturity may give him an edge in the locker room, leadership, and team-building. And what about the learning curve? Sure, he’ll need fall camp to catch up. But his high school track record shows adaptability and readiness. And by spring ball 2027, he’ll have two years less age disparity than other recruits.

I’ve thought about the experience: graduating high school, packing a bag for a mission—most of us only dream of what that feels like. That first hour in an MTC classroom, saying goodbyes, stepping onto a plane—each moment shapes you. The late nights learning a new language, miles walked, conversations across cultures—that’s devout growth. It’s rare to see a future college star hit pause now and shortly. But when he returns, he returns changed.

Of course, unanswered questions remain too. Missions can bring growth but also challenges. Male missionaries usually serve two years, so a one-year mission like Lyons’ could raise questions about duration. But sources say his brother Walker did the same before joining USC. That shows precedent. It’s also practical—long enough to serve, short enough to preserve athletic window.

One Reddit thread on exMormon hinted at controversy—some see one-year missions as a special privilege for athletes. Others welcome it as fair adaptation. But Lyons isn’t hiding or seeking exemptions. He’s open, respectful, and explaining himself publicly. That transparency matters.

Think of this not as putting football on hold, but building character. Lyons is doing something uncommon: choosing service before success. Many top athletes chase momentum. Few pause it. That takes humility. And I’ll bet his teammates notice.

In the end, his story matters beyond yards and touchdowns. It’s a reminder that athletes can be more than their stats. They can be students of life, faith, and identity. Lyons is choosing tomorrow’s self over today’s spotlight. And that’s a lesson many of us need.

Come 2027, we’ll watch him in blue and white—but I expect we’ll see more than just an arm and legs. We’ll see a young man who’s grown through service, tested by challenge, and sharpened for leadership.

Until then, we get the wait. Every story builds anticipation. BYU fans will mark the days. Analysts will write about how his mission shapes his game. But for now, the story’s still being written in every letter he sends home, every language he studies, and every day away from the gridiron.

Ryder Lyons paused. He chose faith over fame—for now. And that, to me, is the real quarterback play.