BYU enters August with a familiar kind of question hanging over its offense: who steps into the tight end role after Carsen Ryan’s departure?
Ryan was a major piece of the Cougars’ attack last season, hauling in 45 catches for 620 yards and three touchdowns. But his value went well beyond the box score.
BYU’s coaches viewed his work as a blocker off the edge as a huge part of what made the offense go. After that season, Ryan was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the seventh round of the NFL draft, leaving BYU to replace an NFL-caliber presence at the position.
The early signs point to Walker Lyons being more than ready for that job.
The 6-4, 245-pound junior transferred from USC soon after the portal opened and arrived in Provo with real production already on his résumé. In two seasons with the Trojans, Lyons caught 26 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns, and he also played a starting role last season.
What’s stood out since he got to BYU is how quickly he’s fit in. Head coach Kalani Sitake was impressed almost immediately, and quarterback Bear Bachmeier said near the end of spring practices that the USC transfer might even be an upgrade at the spot. Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick echoed that confidence and made it clear Lyons has checked every box so far.
“Yeah, (he’s a) great fit,” Roderick said. “I am super impressed with Walker.
He is a really complete player. He’s a good blocker.
He’s an excellent receiver. He’s smart.
You can just tell he’s been well-coached and played a lot of good football, and he’s going to be a big part of our offense.”
Lyons also comes with a notable family connection: he is the older brother of recent 5-star quarterback prospect Ryder Lyons, who signed with BYU as the centerpiece of its 2026 recruiting class.
But the focus here is on what Walker Lyons can do on the field, and the Cougars may have multiple ways to use him. He could line up as a traditional inline tight end, split out wide, or work alongside Oregon transfer Roger Saleapaga in 12 personnel. Saleapaga also drew strong reviews during spring practices.
However BYU deploys him, Lyons looks positioned to be one of the most important pieces of the offense this season.
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Feinga, the son of former BYU offensive lineman Ray Feinga, has already spent time building relationships with the Cougars staff, including coach TJ Woods and other offensive line assistants. For BYU, that matters as much as the offer sheet, because landing a local legacy talent in a crowded race often comes down to trust, comfort and patience, and Feinga appears content to let his junior season and the recruiting process play out on his own timeline. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Fans Should Circle Baylor For One Very Different Reason
Baylor is headed into 2026 with Dave Aranda under real pressure to show the program is moving in the right direction, and that makes the Bears a team BYU fans will want to keep an eye on for reasons beyond the standings. Aranda has already owned last seasons shortcomings and started making changes, including turning the defense over to Joe Klanderman and emphasizing a stronger offensive line to better protect quarterback DJ Lagway.
The Cougars will get a firsthand look at that reset on Nov. 14, when Baylor comes to Provo for the first meeting between the teams since BYUs 34-28 win in 2024. By then, the question around Baylor may be less about talent than whether Arandas adjustments are taking hold quickly enough to stabilize a season that already feels loaded with urgency. [Read more 🡒]