Five-star quarterback recruit Ryder Lyons ranks as the nation’s No. 10 overall prospect and No. 4 quarterback in the 2026 cycle. Lyons’ commitment will have seismic waves in the recruiting class rankings and likely influence other top uncommitted prospects.

The Oregon Ducks and coach Dan Lanning have been vigorously recruiting Lyons to Eugene.

The quarterback from Folsom, California recently detailed the differences between his top three schools: the Oregon Ducks, USC Trojans and BYU Cougars, in a conversation with On3’s Steve Wiltfong. Lyons’ relationship with Oregon coaches Lanning and Will Stein stood out and he addressed Phil Knight’s name, image, likeness (NIL) money.

“Coach Stein, coach Lanning, how they’re doing as a program, they’re just building and building,” Lyons told On3. “Me and coach Stein have a great relationship, probably the best out of any other coaches. They’ve been recruiting me the hardest probably, the whole time.”

The reigning Big Ten champion Ducks certainly are building. Currently, Oregon’s 2026 recruiting class ranks No. 2 in the nation. Oregon does not have a quarterback committed in the 2026 recruiting class.

“How they’re recruiting, a lot of people like to say it’s all Phil Knight money, but they don’t really understand how good they recruit,” Lyons continued. “Their culture is probably one of the best I’ve seen. How they play as a team, how they interact with each other.”

Lanning and Stein are building great reputations for their culture and they both have track records of excellent stability and quarterback development. Plus bothOregon coaches just signed contract extensions, to further cement their stability as recruits look to commit to Oregon.

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The USC Trojans and coach Lincoln Riley had been slated as the favorite to land Lyons, before the big Oregon push. Ryder’s brother, Walker Lyons, is a freshman at USC and he discussed the pull to the Trojans with On3.

“Coach Riley, three first picks in the NFL Draft, three Heisman (Trophy winners), it’s very familiar, my brother goes there, they’ve been recruiting me for a while, so I don’t think there’s any quarterback coach in the country, to be honest,” Lyons told On3. “Coach Riley knows what he’s doing.”

Since USC hired general manager Chad Bowden, the priority had been keeping the best California recruits in California with USC. The Trojans have arguably had the hottest start for the 2026 cycle. They hold 15 commitments, including 10 blue-chip prospects, four or five-star recruits and boast the top-ranked recruiting class.

“We’re going to do everything through the city,” Bowden said. “We’re going to do everything through the state. That’s going to be our primary focus.”

Securing Lyons’ commitment would be a huge statement for USC. The Trojans recently flipped class of 2026 quarterback Jonas Williams from Oregon.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound quarterback also has his eye on BYU, to round out his top-three schools. Lyons has family ties to the Cougars as well.

“Also very familiar, my family went there, my sisters went there, obviously a big part of my faith,” Lyons told On3. “Coach (Aaron) Roderick, coach (Kalani) Sitake, amazing people to talk to, great relationships with them. Great coaches, BYU had a huge year, 11 wins. A very good success rate with quarterbacks.”

Lyons commitment is expected this summer after spring visits to Oregon, USC, Ole Miss, Ohio State, BYU and Michigan. Lyons intends to take an LDS mission and would enroll in the spring of 2027.

The top-seeded Barlow Bruins face the 11th-seeded Jesuit Crusaders in the Oregon (OSAA) high school boys basketball 6A state tournament championship game Saturday at 8:45 p.m. at the University of Portland’s Chiles Center. 

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Jalen Atkins, Barlow, senior

The Eastern Arizona commit and four-time all-MHC first-team selection averages 21 points, 7.5 assists and four rebounds per game, scoring a career-high 43 in the Bruins’ second-round win over Clackamas.

Brayden Barron, Barlow, senior

Bruins coach Tom Johnson called Barron “one of the most improved players our program has ever had” — high praise from the long-time coach about the Portland State commit and Mt. Hood Conference defensive player of the year who averages 14.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks. 

Mason Bierbrauer, Barlow, senior

The Bruins’ third all-Mt. Hood Conference first-team selection is a three-year starter who averages 16.5 points and six rebounds.

Patrick Kilfoil, Jesuit, senior

The Crusaders were a well-balanced attack this season, but Kilfoil (a Saint Martin’s commit) was the leader of the group, making the all-Metro League first team after averaging team highs in scoring (14.4 points) and assists (3.3) while grabbing 4.5 rebounds per game. 

Isaac Bongen, Jesuit, sophomore

Bongen shot 36% from beyond the 3-point arc and averaged 12.1 points in making the all-Metro League third team.

Joe Stimpson, Jesuit, junior 

Stimpson missed most of the first half of the season, but over the Crusaders’ past 13 games, he averaged 8.3 points and 2.5 assists. He made the all-Metro League third team and helped Jesuit win eight in a row to clinch a state tournament berth.

Ryan Fraser, Jesuit, senior 

The third-team all-Metro League selection (10.2 points per game) led the Crusaders in 3-point shooting, hitting at a 46% clip — including going 9 for 12 in playoff wins over Gresham and Nelson, scoring 17 points in each game.

Barlow starting five: Jalen Atkins, Brayden Barron, Mason Bierbrauer, Maddyn Cummings, Blake Hills

Jesuit starting five: Patrick Kilfoil, Trey Cleeland, Joe Stimpson, Ryan Fraser, Ryan Barone

First basket of the game goes to Jesuit’s Trey Cleeland. Blake Hills answers with a 3 for Barlow. 3-2 Bruins after 1:30.

Patrick Kilfoil scores in the lane for Jesuit, which leads 4-3.

Maddyn Cummings offensive rebound and basket for Barlow, which leads 5-4 after 3:30.

Jesuit’s Joe Stimpson makes 1 of 2 from the line. It’s 5-5 with 4:18 left in the first quarter.

Maddyn Cummings with a smooth jumper in the lane for Barlow, which leads 7-5. Cummings has four early points.

Maddyn Cummings for 3! He has seven points. Barlow leads 10-5.

Brayden Barron scores for Barlow, which leads 12-5.

Jesuit’s Patrick Kilfoil makes 2 of 2 at the line. Crusaders trail 12-7, 1:33 left in the first quarter.

Mason Bierbrauer with his first basket for Barlow. Patrick Kilfoil answers for Jesuit. Barlow leads 14-9.

Barlow 14, Jesuit 9, end of first quarter. Maddyn Cummings has seven points for Barlow. Jalen Atkins has zero (0 for 4 from the field). Patrick Kilfoil leads Jesuit with six points.

First basket of the second quarter goes to Jesuit’s Trey Cleeland. Crusaders down 14-11.

Ryan Barone 3-pointer ties it for Jesuit! 14-14, 5:06 before halftime. Timeout, Barlow.

Mason Bierbrauer hits a jumper after the Barlow timeout. Patrick Kilfoil gets to the rim on the other end for Jesuit. It’s 16-16.

Brayden Barron with a put-back DUNK for Barlow, which leads 18-16.

Jalen Atkins with his first basket for Barlow. Bruins up 20-16.

Patrick Kilfoil drives the lane for another layup for Jesuit, which trails 20-18.

Grady Keljo makes 1 of 2 from the free throw line for Jesuit, which trails 20-19 with 57 seconds left in the half.

Brayden Barron scores to give Barlow a 22-19 lead.

Barlow 22, Jesuit 19, end of second quarter. Maddyn Cummings has seven points for Barlow. Patrick Kilfoil has a game-high 10 points for Jesuit.

First basket of the second half goes to Barlow’s Jalen Atkins. Bruins lead 24-19.

Patrick Kilfoil 3 brings Jesuit within 24-22.

Brayden Barron scores inside to give Barlow a 26-22 lead.

Ryan Fraser for 3 for Jesuit! Crusaders down one at 26-25.

Blake Hills gets the 3 right back for Barlow. And now a 3 by Jesuit’s Patrick Kilfoil. Barlow up 29-28 midway through the third quarter.

Brayden Barron makes 2 of 2 from the line for Barlow, which leads 31-28.

Patrick Kilfoil gets to the rim for two Jesuit points. Crusaders trail 31-30. Kilfoil has 18 points.

Barlow’s Blake Hills gets a friendly bounce on a 3-pointer. Joe Stimpson scores for Jesuit. Barlow up 34-32.

Barlow’s Brayden Barron for 3! He has 13 points. Bruins up 37-32.

Shot clock violation on Jesuit. Brayden Barron hits a jumper for Barlow. It’s 39-32.

Oh, boy … Barlow’s Jalen Atkins is fouled as he’s launching a half-court shot at the buzzer. He makes all three free throws, and Barlow will take a 10-point lead to the fourth quarter.

Barlow 42, Jesuit 32, end of third quarter.

First basket of the fourth quarter goes to Barlow’s Brayden Barron, and Bruins have a 12-point lead at 44-32. Barron has 17 points, eight rebounds.

Patrick Kilfoil makes two free throws, and Jesuit trails 44-34.

Maddyn Cummings scores to give Barlow a 46-34 lead.

Joe Stimpson converts a reverse layup for Jesuit — and he’s fouled. Free throw good. Crusaders down 46-37.

Joe Stimpson floater in the lane brings Jesuit within 46-39 with 5:46 remaining.

Mason Bierbrauer goes to the line for Barlow and makes 2 of 2. It’s 48-39 Bruins.

Patrick Kilfoil makes 2 of 2 free throws for Jesuit. Crusaders down 48-41. Kilfoil has 22 points. Exactly 5 minutes to go.

Blake Hills for 3 for Barlow. Grady Keljo scores for Jesuit. It’s 51-43.

Jalen Atkins scores for Barlow. It’s 53-43 with 4 minutes to go.

Jalen Atkins makes 1 of 2 free throws for Barlow, and it’s crunch time for Jesuit … 54-43 with 2:41 left.

Isaac Bongen makes 1 of 2 free throws for Jesuit, which trails 54-44 with 2:34 on the clock.

Maddyn Cummings makes 1 of 2 free throws, and Barlow leads 55-44 with 1:33 to go.

Ryan Fraser makes 2 of 2 free throws for Jesuit, which trails 55-46.

After Barlow gets called for traveling, Jesuit’s Joe Stimpson gets fouled and makes 1 of 2. It’s 55-47 with 1:13 to play.

Jalen Atkins makes 2 of 2 free throws for Barlow, which leads 57-47 with 1:11 left.

Goaltending called on Barlow. Basket to Joe Stimpson. After a steal, Stimpson scores again. Jesuit within 57-51 with 54.7 seconds to go.

Jalen Atkins makes 1 of 2 free throws. Barlow up 58-51.

Jesuit misses a 3-pointer. Jalen Atkins makes two free throws. It’s 60-51, and Barlow fans are starting to celebrate.

FINAL SCORE: Barlow 61, Jesuit 55. Brayden Barron with 17 points and nine rebounds. Jalen Atkins has 16 points and eight rebounds. Blake Hills has 12 points; Maddyn Cummings scores 10. For Jesuit, Patrick Kilfoil finishes with a game-high 24 points. Joe Stimpson adds 13 points.

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College football season has been in hibernation for almost two months now, but as spring football season begins across the country, the sport is starting to stir from its slumber. The Oregon Ducks are once again projected to be one of the best teams in college football next fall, but the long road to realizing that potential starts with the Ducks’ 15 spring practices.

Oregon lost a lot of talent to the NFL this offseason, and although the Ducks have no shortage of talent in their program, finding success with an inexperienced roster will have its challenges. On Saturday, after the Ducks’ second practice of the spring season, Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein spoke about those challenges, highlighting a handful of returners, including Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, who will provide the Ducks with precious experience.

“Kenyon Sadiq is one of the best players in the country,” Stein said. “I’m glad we’ve got him back.”

That’s high praise, but in his young career, Sadiq has shown that there aren’t many things he can’t do on a football field. Anyone questioning Sadiq’s ability can direct their attention to this touchdown from Oregon’s opening drive of the 2024 Big Ten Championship:

Sadiq is entering his third season at Oregon, and despite never playing as the Ducks’ No. 1 tight end, Sadiq wasted no time letting the world know how good he is. In 90 snaps as a freshman, Sadiq caught five passes for 24 yards and a TD. In 2024, he was much more productive, catching 24 balls for 308 yards and two TDs. And as the Ducks’ top TE next fall, expect those numbers to fly up.

“It’s my job to make sure he’s getting as many touches as he can every single game,” Stein said. “He’s put on 15 pounds of muscle. He’s nearing 250 and still looks the same speed. He has great hands. I think he’s a better point of attack, on-the-ball tight end than people believe, just because he’s so dang strong. And now he’s got a great understanding of what we’re doing offensively.”

In 2024, Oregon threw to its tight ends far more than in the first two years of Dan Lanning’s tenure, and it was a shift that paid dividends for Oregon. Not only did the Ducks’ tight ends ramp up their receiving production, but Terrance Ferguson, Oregon’s top TE last season, was often Dillon Gabriel’s first look in crunch-time, gotta-have-it situations. Ferguson and Sadiq are very different players, but expect the Oregon offense to rely on Sadiq in the big moments the way it relied on Ferguson last year.

“Now he’s really in the limelight,” Stein said. “He’s the upperclassman in that room, he’s kind of the old head. Talk about leadership, Kenyon’s somebody that I’m expecting to be one of those leaders on our team. He’s a very special player. I mean, I think, I really do believe he’s one of the best players in college football. So it’s our job to make sure that he shows that ability this season.”