Ryder Lyons: The Next Zach Wilson? 247Sports Thinks So!

247Sports’ analyst Grant Hughes recently unveiled his NFL player comparisons for every five-star prospect in the Class of 2026, and BYU quarterback Ryder Lyons earned the high-profile comparison to former BYU starter Zach Wilson.

Lyons, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound signal-caller from Folsom, California, boasts some jaw-dropping senior year numbers: completing 211 of 310 passes for over 3,000 yards and 46 touchdowns, while adding nearly 600 rushing yards and 14 additional scores.

His dual-threat style, downfield touch, and athleticism mirror the traits Wilson showcased during his own run at BYU.

Hughes’ comparison speaks volumes: Wilson broke school passing records, became one of college football’s brightest prospects, and leapt into a top-three NFL draft slot. That’s the ceiling Lyons is reaching for in Provo, and the blueprint he’s being measured against.

For BYU fans, the Lyons-Wilson parallel is compelling. Wilson’s ascent under offensive innovator Kalani Sitake set a high bar: a 3,600-yard passing season, big-game heroics, and a No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. If Lyons can harness that combination of arm talent and mobility, he may well follow in those footsteps.

Still, comparisons aren’t guarantees. Wilson struggled at times under the NFL spotlight; Lyons will need coaching, consistency, and adaptation to pressure in order to hit the lofty benchmark. But the fact that he’s even being compared to a former BYU signal-caller who earned such rapid success speaks to his talent and the promise of what’s coming next in Provo.