BYU fans called it.
After Ryder Lyons — a five-star quarterback with offers from nearly every school in the country — committed to BYU last month, the joke on social media, forums, etc. was how soon would it take for recruitment services like Rivals, On3, and 247Sports to drop Ryder’s star rankings.
We now know that answer… and it didn’t take long.
On3, which recently acquired Rivals, updated its 2026 recruiting rankings yesterday and surprise, surprise, BYU commit Ryder Lyons is now magically and mysteriously a “4-star” player without even taking a snap. A week ago he’s a consensus 5-star player and the top player coming out of California, now he’s dropped simply because he didn’t commit to a blue-blood program. He didn’t screw up during a summer camp, he didn’t get injured, and no real football games have been played since the end of last year.
And that’s exactly why the recruitment rankings and services are a joke.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise as the recruiting industry has always been a circus. But the recent reshuffling of the 2026 class — particularly the inexplicable drop of Lyons —should serve as the final straw for anyone who still takes these star systems at face value.
Lyons choose BYU over Oregon, which led Oregon to going after and getting a commitment from Bryson Beaver, a 3-star quarterback who was rated in the 500s nationally and 30th among quarterbacks according to multiple sites. Yet somehow, because Beaver choose to play at Oregon, he suddenly is a 4-star player and is not rated higher than Lyons on Rivals.
The timing isn’t just suspect — it’s a disgrace and insulting to all high school players. Your value and rank should be based on your results and resume, not about which school you commit too.
5-Star QB Ryder Lyons Commits To BYU Over Oregon, USC, And Alabama
Let’s talk facts. Lyons has been one of the most prolific quarterbacks in the country over the last two seasons. At Folsom High School in California, he’s thrown for 6,589 yards and 84 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,500+ yards and another 37 scores. His film showcases a dual-threat dynamo with elite vision, arm strength, and poise. He’s the kind of quarterback who makes everyone around him better—and yet, somehow, that’s not enough to keep him among the elite in the eyes of Rivals or On3?
It’s hard not to see bias at work.
If Lyons had flipped to Alabama, Oregon, or USC instead of choosing BYU, does anyone really believe he would’ve lost his fifth star? I can tell you… absolutely not. No chance!
Programs like BYU and anyone not in the SEC/Big Ten club already have an uphill battle. But that shouldn’t penalize the players who choose to represent them. Talent is talent, regardless of what conference you’re in or how many playoff appearances your school has made.
What makes this even worse is the utter lack of transparency. There’s no explanation from Rivals/On3. No rationale. No scouting updates. Just a rankings drop that seems fueled by narrative, not analysis.
BYU Proves Playoff Worthy In Alamo Bowl Win, Social Media Talks Playoff Snub
This should matter to everyone — no just BYU fans. This is a problem for every recruit who dares to pick a school for personal fit over public fame. It’s a message to every high school star that if you don’t pick a media darling, your resume will get tossed aside.
Ryder Lyons is still the No. 1 player in California and the No. 4 QB nationally, according to 247Sports. And he will have every opportunity to prove the doubters wrong when he steps on the field again. BYU knows exactly what kind of talent it’s bringing in. So does everyone who’s actually watched him play.
But if recruiting services want to try and reclaim some credibility, they need to do better, a lot better. Bias toward brand-name programs is killing the integrity of the sport.
Stop punishing kids for choosing the school that’s right for them. Stop feeding the machine that tells us that SEC/Big Ten programs are better than everyone else. Respect the game. Respect the tape. Respect the athlete.
Follow Justin Giles on Twitter and Fan Insider on Facebook.
5-Star QB Ryder Lyons Commits To BYU Over Oregon, USC, And Alabama
