Again, I don't think (Walker) Lyons is actually going to Utah. And I definitely don't think Ryder is. I'm just saying we need stronger evidence than he's dating a girl who grew up in Utah and moved to Los Angeles a few years ago.
Here's the places where I disagree with you
1. BYU wasn't in the final running for Lyons. For Lyons his finalists were Georgia, Utah and USC (and kind of Stanford) - see https://247sports.com/article/four-star-te-walker-lyons-getting-closer-to-a-final-decision-202195846/#:~:text=%22It%27s%20basically%20Utah%2C%20USC%2C%20Georgia%20and%20Stanford%2C%20in%20no%20particular%20order%2C%22%20said%20Lyons.
That doesn't necessarily mean he couldn't flip to BYU. Alai Kalaniuvalu was generally considered to be down to Utah or Oregon, chose Oregon.... and then flipped to BYU.
2. BYU absolutely has an opening at TE. My (again devil's advocate) argument wasn't just about there being a spot, but a spot that gets used. And here's the TE opportunities (15+ receptions, 150+ yards or the leading TE if none hit either of the previous marks) at both schools the past 4 years
Year |
BYU Leading TE |
Utah Leading TE |
2024 |
Keanu Hill (11 for 102)
|
Brant Kuithe (35 for 505) |
2023 |
Isaac Rex (34 for 422) |
Munir McClain (15 for 269) Landen King (14 for 166)
|
2022 |
Isaac Rex (22 for 320) |
Dalton Kincaid (70 for 890) Brant Kuthe (19 for 206) Thomas Yassmin (13 for 301) |
2021 |
Isaac Rex (18 for 191) Dallin Holker (14 for 200) |
Brant Kuithe (50 for 611) Dalton Kincaid (36 for 510) Cole Fotheringham (15 for 128)
|
The reality is that Utah uses the TE a LOT more than we do. There's a reason 3 of the guys on their list above are currently on NFL rosters. One of the guys on the BYU list is on an NFL roster and he had to leave BYU to make it happen.
If Waker Lyons, as the #2 TE at USC behind Duce Robinson is upset with getting 5 receptions and Robinson getting 15 and thinks that offense doesn't make enough use of the TE, is he going to look to BYU where the #1 TE has 11 receptions and the 4-star freshman behind him gets 7?
Again, I don't think (Walker) Lyons is actually going to Utah. And I definitely don't think Ryder is. I'm just saying we need stronger evidence than he's dating a girl who grew up in Utah and moved to Los Angeles a few years ago.