Former USC tight end Walker Lyons is headed for BYU and the Big 12, the sophomore transfer announced via social media on Friday.
Lyons, the older brother of the Cougars’ four-star quarterback signee Ryder Lyons, is headed to Provo with two years of eligibility. Walker is just the second portal player for BYU this cycle, apart from Oregon wide receiver transfer Kyle Kasper.
In two seasons at USC, Lyons caught 26 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns; he’d log 20 of those catches last season. A former four-star recruit in high school, Lyons was touted as the No. 2 tight end in the country by ESPN and No. 4 by Rivals.
The move could potentially unite Lyons with his younger brother, Ryder, the 2024 Gatorade Player of the Year in California. Both are members of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Walker served a mission in Norway before arriving at USC.
With starting quarterback Bear Bachmeier returning for his sophomore season, it makes sense why Kalani Sitake, who received a $9.5 million contract extension this offseason, would go after yet another receiver for an emerging star in Bachmeier.
Bachmeier finished his debut campaign with a 64.9% completion rate and 3,000-plus yards through the air; Just four of his touchdown passes reached tight ends (senior Carsen Ryan with 3 and freshman Noah Moeaki with 1).
Lyons lends a second experienced tight end to the room in place of Ryan, who is vying for a waiver to return to BYU for a fifth year. Should the Cougars return all three ends, BYU will bring back three legit options over the middle with proven numbers.
BYU is already counting on having its top returning receiver, Parker Kingston, back in 2026. Kingston led the Cougars with 66 catches for 924 yards and five touchdowns last season. Kasper, BYU’s only other portal entry, brings 72 career yards over from Oregon.
