For a 2nd straight year, BYU adds another 4-star tight end in California's Ryner Swanson

PROVO — BYU is back to making waves

The Cougars' recruiting Class of 2025 got a much-needed boost on Thursday with the commitment of Ryner Swanson, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound four-star tight end in the 247Sports Composite rankings from Laguna Beach, California.

Swanson has been a standout over the past two years for the Breakers, where he's caught 128 passes for 1,538 yards and 18 touchdowns in 26 games — including 83 catches for 952 yards and 12 scores during a breakout junior season.

The No. 19-ranked tight end in the country and 29th best overall prospect in talent-rich California by 247Sports, Swanson picked the Cougars over a top five that also included Oregon, Texas, Texas A&M and Utah.

A devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Swanson recently visited camp at his church's flagship institution, the school his mother attended and one he's known for years. But Swanson also raved about positive recruiting visits to Oregon, Texas and Utah before ultimately locking in his decision with the Cougars.

"I've always felt that BYU was right there in the mix," 247Sports recruiting analyst Greg Biggins told ESPN radio in Utah County in recent weeks. "I thought BYU would be really tough to beat."

Swanson also played baseball and basketball before focusing on football, and he's thrown the shot put for his school's track and field team. But perhaps the most important factor in his college decision has been his faith.

"BYU's the church school for him, his mother went to BYU and its the school he's been to more than anywhere else," Biggins added. "He's very strong in his LDS faith. And he's told me multiple times he likes the scheme and likes the fit. I think all of that helps (BYU)."

It's the second-straight year BYU has added a high-profile tight end, joining former four-star recruit Jackson Bowers, the 6-foot-5, 245-pound standout from Mountain View High in Mesa, Arizona, who just joined the team in the summer.

Bowers, a top-300 recruit by ESPN who recorded 110 receptions fro 1,540 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Toros, signed with BYU over of interest from Alabama, Utah, Washington, Baylor, USC, Ole Miss and Oregon, among many others.

Swanson's offer sheet is no less impressive, with Colorado, Florida, Purdue and Washington also among the over two dozen schools to have shown interest.

But there's something about BYU and the tight end room, which is currently led by 6-foot-6 former Freshman All-American Isaac Rex, and the man behind it all, assistant coach Steve Clark.

"The only reason our room is how it is, is because of coach Clark," tight end Ethan Erickson said after spring practices. "He can take any group of guys, and we just get lucky to get picked. But he can do it with anyone."

Recruiting: Who has committed to BYU football in the Class of 2024?

Here is a brief look at who has already committed to Utah, as well as some players on which to keep an eye as the calendar moves from 2022-23 to 2023-24.

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