Ohio State Football ‘In the Mix’ for Elite 5-Star QB, Adding Even More Strength to Already Loaded Room
Ohio State is making waves once again in the quarterback recruiting world, as the Buckeyes are reportedly “in the mix” for 5‑star quarterback Ryder Lyons—currently rated a top-five recruit in the class of 2026 . The Folsom, California native has narrowed his list to OSU, USC, and Oregon, and a decision appears imminent.
While USC and Oregon are widely considered the frontrunners—with geographical proximity and established pipelines working in their favor—Ohio State remains firmly in contention. As insider Braulio Perez of Scarlet & Game put it, “Nothing will be over until Ryan Day decides it is,” pointing to the possibility of a late-season visit during a high-profile Ohio State game .
Landing Lyons would significantly bolster a quarterback room already brimming with talent. The Buckeyes enter the 2025 season with a competitive QB battle: returning starter Julian Sayin, dual-threat Lincoln Kienholz, and incoming freshman Tavien St. Clair are all vying for the job under the guidance of coach Ryan Day and OC Brian Hartline . Sayin, a former five-star and transfer from Alabama, leads the current depth chart, but Kienholz’s athletic edge and St. Clair’s high school pedigree keep things tight .
Perez suggests a high-stakes recruitment strategy: orchestrating a late-visit to Columbus—potentially aligned with the season opener vs. Texas—where the electric atmosphere of “The Shoe” could be the difference-maker .
Should Lyons commit, Ohio State would add another blue-chip prospect to a quarterback corps already ranked among the nation’s best. With Lyons’ decision expected soon, Buckeye fans are bracing for a potential coup—and a crystal-clear signal of Ohio State’s continued dominance in QB recruiting.
