Look, cash isn’t just king in CFB anymore—it’s the whole kingdom. Evidently, the NIL debate rages on, but let’s be real—who’s turning down life-changing cash? Bryce Underwood‘s $10.5 million deal didn’t just shake the market; it set a new record. And now, Sherrone Moore is trying to run the same blueprint with 2026’s No. 4 QB, Ryder Lyons, dangling a bag too big to ignore. Now, can anyone blame the kid? Who doesn’t want a comfortable life? But money is not the only thing that might force Lyons to make his way towards Ann Arbor.
See, Bryce Underwood has not taken his first snap for Michigan yet, but it’s never too early to secure your future, right? And Ryder Lyons is exactly that for Michigan: a future investment. Now with his visits set with Ohio State, Ole Miss, and Michigan in the spring and BYU, Oregon, and USC in summer, Michigan is rooting high for the 6’3, 215-pounder QB, and Moore and their offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey is nowhere lacking behind in the competition.
Now, what makes Ryder Lyons interested in the program is getting time to learn under Bryce Underwood. On3’s EJ Holland shared Ryder’s stance on the same, where the QB said: “I’m technically a 2027, so it could work. I could learn under him during his third year and then come in. You want to come in with the best and compete against the best. Why not? He’s obviously very talented, but I’d be okay with whatever that means. I’ll compete with anyone.” So, Ryder is set to graduate in 2027, as he is going on a mission after his graduation. That means his freshman year might coincide with Underwood’s (likely) final year, making him a perfect successor.
“As soon as @ChipLindsey11 got the job, he made it clear that I’m their No. 1 guy”
Five-star QB Ryder Lyons (@ryderly0ns) goes in-depth on Michigan, upcoming spring visit, going on a mission and more #GoBlue. https://t.co/xNgoilKS1a pic.twitter.com/p3kPnu4DwX
— “EJ Holland” (@EJHollandOn3) March 20, 2025
And that’s not it. Even Michigan’s coaching staff is doing everything under their control to get Ryder Lyons into the team. Interestingly, that’s also making him think twice. “Coach Sherrone Moore and Coach (Chip) Lindsey have really been trying to build a relationship with me,” Lyons said. “As soon as Coach Lindsey got the job, he made it clear that I’m their No. 1 guy. Their message is that I’m a top guy, and they want me bad. They believe in me.” And that’s exactly what is making a difference for Ryder Lyons. Plus, his visit to Michigan on April 12 might also change the whole recruiting game for other teams.
Let’s not forget that Ryder Lyons has already made his position clear on NIL. During an OT7 tournament interview with Ari Wasserman, Lyons openly discussed a subject many recruits avoid in public. “The thing is 99% of the world, if you got offered $150K more to take this job, most people are taking it,” he said, stating the obvious. And Michigan doesn’t shy away from giving big paychecks to their favorite recruits.
But what makes this even juicier? The recent reclassification of Brady Hart, who switched to Texas A&M last fall, has left Michigan without a quarterback for the 2026 season. This gap needs to be filled as the 2027 season is approaching quickly, and Coach Moore cannot afford to lose.
And how can someone miss out on a player like him? As Ryder Lyons is a standout athlete with impressive dual-threat abilities. With a smooth, effortless delivery, he’s amassed 6,589 passing yards, 84 passing touchdowns, and a mere 14 interceptions in the last two seasons, along with a remarkable 1,538 rushing yards and 38 more touchdowns on the ground.
But, Michigan is not the only one with big bags, right?
Michigan’s Big 10 rival for Ryder Lyons’ recruitment
If Sherrone Moore’s team has Larry Ellison supporting the NIL fund, Oregon is not coming empty-handed. The Ducks are not just participating in the game – they are changing the rules, and Phil Knight’s financial support holds significant weight. Oregon is fully invested in Ryder Lyons, clearly expressing their desire to have him in Eugene.
However, Lyons is not just relying on the financial aspect. During a conversation with analyst Steve Wiltfong, he clarified that Oregon’s appeal goes beyond just having deep pockets. His bond with OC Will Stein and HC Dan Lanning has firmly put the Ducks in contention, and they are pulling out all the stops to secure his commitment.
“Coach Stein, coach Lanning, how they’re doing as a program, they’re just building and building,” Lyons said. “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.” While overshadowed by Phil Knight’s substantial NIL funds, Ryder Lyons does not overlook Oregon’s persistent recruiting efforts. It’s clear he believes the Ducks’ appeal goes far beyond their financial success.
Michigan is not just offering money to Ryder Lyons; they are also establishing genuine connections with him. Ryder is familiar with Ann Arbor as he accompanied his older brother, Walker Lyons, a tight end for USC, during his recruitment by the Wolverines a few years ago. Now, it’s Ryder’s turn to explore his options as a top priority for both Michigan and Oregon. The competition between the two schools is shaping up to be intense, resembling a heavyweight fight.
The post 5-Star Ryder Lyons Opens up on Bryce Underwood as Sherrone Moore’s Offer Becomes Too Tempting to Pass Up appeared first on EssentiallySports.
