Report: UCLA Showing Interest in Top 2022 QB Following Decommitment
One of the top quarterbacks in the country is back on the market.
Class of 2022 quarterback Zach Pyron decommitted from Baylor on Sunday night. The senior at Pinson Valley High School (AL) led his team to its third-straight state title last season, and three games into the 2021 campaign, Pyron has decided to look to continue his career somewhere other than Waco, Texas.
According to a report by SI All-American, the list of new suitors is growing for Pyron, consisting mostly of SEC programs with a few Pac-12 schools reaching out as well.
Both UCLA and Arizona State have reportedly reached out to Pyron since he reopened his commitment over the weekend.
"It's getting crazy," Pyron's father, Chaz, told SI All-American.
The newfound interest from out West doesn't seem to be overshadowing the momentum certain southern schools are building with Pyron, however.
Pyron was in-person at No. 1 Alabama's 44-13 win over No. 14 Miami (FL), and he has been in close contact with the Crimson Tide's coaching staff for most of the summer, according to SI All-American's John Garcia Jr. Auburn's staff was also at Pyron's most recent game Friday night, and he has just recently picked up offers from both Vanderbilt and Arkansas.
"I was kind of surprised but grateful," Pyron told SI All-American. "I grew watching SEC ball so I thought it was cool."
UCLA, on the other hand, has not made Pyron an official scholarship offer yet. Coach Chip Kelly and his staff have sent out four offers to 2022 quarterbacks, but all four of those recruits have already committed elsewhere, leaving the Bruins without a quarterback commit in the upcoming cycle.
The Bruins earned a commitment from another top Alabama skill position prospect in the 2021 cycle in the form of running back Deshun Murrell. Before Murrell, last time UCLA signed a player from the state of Alabama was from defensive end Reginald Stokes in 2006.
Pyron was invited to participate at the Elite 11 Finals camp in June and July, and he made the most of his appearance in Manhattan Beach. SI All-American ranked him No. 9 out of the 20 participating quarterbacks that week.
In his junior season, Pyron completed 53.9% of his passes for 2,148 yards and 21 touchdowns, adding 306 yards and three touchdowns on the ground in 15 games. The 6-foot-3 signal-caller did not make the cut for the preseason SI99 rankings, but he was No. 22 on SI All-American's quarterback watch list earlier in the summer.
Here is what Garcia and Bryan Driskell had to say about Pyron back in July:
Pyron is an intriguing player that right now is more about projection than he is a polished quarterback. After playing in a hybrid shotgun/option offense his first two years of high school, Pyron is still learning the nuances of the drop back passing game, but he has tools that Baylor’s staff is going to like.
At times the ball jumps out of Pyron’s hand, which makes one think he has a bit more power than he often shows on film. With more experience as a passer I expect to see him start getting more consistent zip on the football. Pyron shows good downfield touch and accuracy, he thrives in the RPO (run pass option) game and he’s dangerous once he gets out of the pocket.
Pyron is a mobile quarterback that can make plays in the run game and his ability to extend plays out of the pocket add to his value. For Pyron to reach his full potential, however, he’ll need to become a better decision maker, improve how quickly he can work through progressions and protect the ball.
UCLA Director of Player Personnel Ethan Young tweeted his signature "BOOM" Monday morning, indicating an incoming verbal commitment, but it is not expected to have anything to do with Pyron. Offensive lineman Sam Yoon, athlete Carson Tabaracci and defensive lineman Anthony Lucas were among the uncommitted class of 2022 targets in attendance for UCLA's win over LSU on Saturday, so it is more likely alluding to a decision made by one of them.
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