Tuesday marks decision day for Folsom (California) five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound signal-caller is rated the nation's No. 13 overall prospect and No. 4 quarterback in the class of 2026, but that's an inaccurate framing.
Why?
Lyons intends to graduate early and begin an LDS mission in January, which will make him - for all intents and purposes - a class of 2027 prospect.
Against younger competition it's not out of the question to argue he's the top quarterback in the '27 class, competing head-to-head with Dunham School (Louisiana) star Elijah Haven.
So, he represents a massive recruiting prize.
While a specific time and location for his announcement has not been released, the contenders are clear.
Lyons, at various points, has considered BYU, Ole Miss, Ohio State, Oregon and USC serious options, but most experts believe the battle has come down to the Cougars and Ducks.
Why?
Despite his brother, tight end Walker Lyons, attending USC, Ryder canceled his official visit to the school recently.
Although it is true he has visited USC many times before, the breaking of his scheduled plans seemed to potentially eliminate the Trojans from contention.
In recent weeks, Lyons has taken two official visits - Oregon (June 13) and BYU (June 19).
Even before his visit to Provo, the recruiting world was abuzz with "Lyons to BYU" rumors.
Heading into decision day those rumblings have become a full-throated roar.
On3 gives the Cougars a 96.2 percent chance to land Lyons - with USC (1.4 percent) and Oregon (less than 1 percent) trailing mightily.
Similarly, 247Sports' entire recruiting staff logged a prediction in favor of BYU.
So, it stands to reason that Kalani Sitake's program is the heavy favorite.
But in the NIL era, we've seen shockers before, and Oregon is no stranger to pulling off big surprises on the recruiting trail.
Could Dan Lanning do it again? Could USC's No. 1 recruiting class grow ever stronger by keeping the Lyons brothers together in college?
Anything is possible, but BYU has made a strong pitch and proven it can land big-time recruits in the NIL era.
After all, the men's basketball program signed Utah Prep (Utah) five-star small forward A.J. Dybantsa, the nation's No. 1 hoops recruit, in the 2025 class.
What will the winning school be getting in the five-star quarterback?
As a junior, Lyons was named the California Gatorade Player of the Year, throwing for 3,011 yards and 46 touchdowns with just six interceptions to go along with 585 yards and 14 scores on the ground.
The Folsom star is a dynamic playmaker who can make things happen even when the initial play breaks down.
Here's what 247Sports had to say about Lyons as a prospect:
"Lyons is an exceptional talent and has been one of the top quarterbacks in the region since his sophomore year. Has rare combination of arm talent and movement ability and can shred a defense with his arm and his legs."
"A pure thrower with a live arm and understands how to change speeds and throw with anticipation. Accurate to all three levels of the field and throws the deep ball with touch and can rip fastballs in to tight windows."
"Equally dangerous when a play breaks down and has to improvise off-script. Elite in his ability to make multiple defenders miss and is creative in how he can buy time and make a throw down the field or take off and run for plus yards. He's a tough kid who doesn't shy away from contact and will take a shot but hang in the pocket to deliver the football."
"A highly competitive player with a strong off the field work ethic and draws raves from his coaches and teammates for his leadership skill."
"Has one of the highest ceilings among the quarterback group in his class and assuming he continues to develop, should be playing on Sunday's for a very long time."