One of the top remaining unsigned high school prospects in the 2023 college football recruiting cycle has officially found a new home. Folsom tight end Walker Lyons, the 92nd overall prospect according to the CFN Fusion recruiting rankings, has committed to the USC Trojans on National Signing Day.
Walker Lyons Commits to USC on National Signing Day
Lyons, courted by some of the top programs in the nation, represents a major coup for the Trojans in the 2023 recruiting class. The 6’4″, 230-pound tight end has been a productive playmaker for Folsom and ranks as the fifth-best tight end in an impressive class of players at the position.
Lyons had originally committed to Stanford in the summer of 2022. However, the departure of coach David Shaw at the end of this college football campaign caused the Folsom tight end to reassess his options. The new coaching staff, led by former Sacramento State head coach Troy Taylor, had hoped to reel him back in.
However, USC beat a number of prospective suitors, including Utah, BYU, and Georgia to land the top-100 talent in the 2023 recruiting class. With a CFN Fusion Grade of 96.481, the California native finished the recruiting cycle closely ranked to Penn State commit Andrew Rappleyea and Ohio State signee Jelani Thurman.
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The Trojans secured the playmaker tight end despite a late push by Georgia head coach Kirby Smart to land Lyons this cycle. Smart visited the Folsom tight end at home last Tuesday with a sales pitch designed to bring the top-tier talent into a program that already features Brock Bowers at the position. With Lyons’ commitment to USC, that pitch was clearly unsuccessful as Lincoln Riley adds another playmaker to his roster.
In addition to his impressive size at the position, Lyons boasts game-changing length and wingspan, enabling a catch radius capable of snagging the ball at the highest point. This natural advantage is weaponized by body control and the vertical athleticism to elevate himself in contested situations. Lyons has also flashed blocking ability in limited exposure. Finally, his keen football intellect features a good grasp for defeating coverages.
While this will all prove exciting for USC fans, Lyons’ capture comes with a minor caveat. As a member of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, the Folsom tight end will embark on a mission in Norway, which means he won’t enroll until at least the fall of 2024. However, he’ll be well worth the wait when he finally hits the field for USC while also ensuring that Lyons is fully recovered from a season-ending leg injury suffered this fall.
