Walker Lyons picks USC: 4-star tight end plans to take LDS mission, delays enrollment to 2024

Popular, talented Top 5 tight end nationally missed 2022 season after leg injury in season opener

Asked Tuesday for a quick quote on tight end Walker Lyons and Folsom High School coach Paul Doherty couldn't stop. 

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound tight end, who Wednesday morning committed to USC, made an impact on the Bulldogs' highly successful program like no other. 

"Great kid, great teammate," Doherty said. "Incredible athlete. Versatile. Run routes in middle off the field. Can catch it outside. Great in run game. Catches everything. Quiet kid. Introvert. Yet his teammates all gravitate toward him. He just commands respect with his work ethic, his talent, everything about him." 

Thus the team's overt heartbreak during Folsom's 47-18 opening game win over Monterey Trail (Elk Grove) on Aug. 19 when Lyons suffered a severe season-ending lower leg injury. 

With four-star quarterback Austin Mack in place, a bevy of offensive threats, Lyons figured to approach triple digits in catches. Instead he had one for eight yards. The Bulldogs, with four state championships on their resume, finished 12-2, one game short of another state-title game. 

With him, Folsom probably would have gotten over the hump. 

As a junior, Lyons had 42 catches for 646 yards and seven touchdowns. 

 Considered nearly 100 percent healthy, Lyons was cleared to play in the All-American Bowl and Polynesian Bowl, but declined. 

He plans also to delay his enrollment to USC until the Fall of 2024 due to his commitment to serve his LDS mission, which starts at the end of this month. 

All the praise to my Heavenly Father. Committed! #FightOn ✌️@uscfb pic.twitter.com/b8oEQZlho3

— Walker Lyons (@walkerly0ns) February 1, 2023

Wednesday is the first day of the regular National Signing Day, which which lasts through April 1 for Division I players. Division II signees also start on Wednesday but can sign as late as Aug. 1.

Most of the top recruits signed during the early period (Dec. 21-23).

Lyons originally committed to Stanford, but after coach David Shaw resigned, he re-opened his recruitment. He's reportedly been in constant contact with USC coaches Lincoln Riley and Zach Hanson. His other finalists appeared to be Georgia, Utah and BYU.

He's rated the No. 5 tight end nationally by 247Sports Composite and the No. 10 California recruit overall from the class of 2023. His overall national ranking is 123. 

"I know they (haven't really used the tight end as much at USC, but in the past, at Oklahoma, they used their tight ends a lot, like Mark Andrews and Grant Calcaterra," Lyons told 247Sports' Brandon Huffman. "If they have a tight end who is really dynamic and they like, they'd use him." 

Walker Lyons, Folsom, during his junior season. Photo: SBLive