Quarterback targets to know following the Oregon Ducks missing out on five-star signal caller Ryder Lyons

Lyons, who is listed at 6-2 and 215 pounds, is considered an elite prospect in the 2026 class. He currently ranks as a five-star recruit on the 247Sports Composite ranking, currently sitting as the No. 19 overall player, No. 5 quarterback, and No. 5 player in the state of California. 247Sports is even higher on their own ranking, currently sitting as the No. 13 overall player in the class.

Some of the very best programs in all of college football have pursued Lyons heavily. Lyons’ top offers include the Ducks, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, LSU, USC, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Florida, Florida State, Auburn, and Texas A&M among many others.

As a junior, Lyons put together a tremendous season for Folsom. In 13 games, he threw for 3,011 yards and 46 touchdowns, while also completing over 68 percent of his passes and throwing just six interceptions. Lyons also added another 585 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. 

With Lyons now off the board, Oregon must regroup to find their 2026 quarterback. Here are three talented signal callers that make the most sense for the Ducks star to pursue moving forward. 

Bryson Beaver - Murrieta (Calif.) Vista

Previously committed to Boise State, Beaver reopened his recruitment after Oregon offered a couple of weeks ago. Some other schools like LSU and Auburn have also offered, but there seems to be momentum with the Ducks. At 6-3 and 200 pounds, Beaver is an athletic pocket passer with developmental upside. He feels like the most likely commit at this point. 

Matt Ponatoski - Cincinnati (Ohio) Archbishop Moeller 

Despite being just 6-1 and 195 pounds, Ponatoski is very sturdy in the pocket. He has a ton of natural arm talent, and has the ability to generate velocity easily. Ponatoski is coming off of a stellar junior season where he threw for 58 touchdowns against just three interceptions. That has made programs like Oregon and Georgia take a lot of notice. 

Luke Fahey - Mission Viejo (Calif.) High School

It appears that Ohio State is the team that is trending with Fahey, and quickly. He’s a smaller passer at 6-0 and 180 pounds, but Fahey brings a ton of arm talent to the table. Fahey also throws well on the run, always keeping his eyes down the field. There’s a reason why the Buckeyes are pushing hard from across the country for this talented signal caller.