Latter-day Saint Life

This top college football recruit is putting his athletic career on hold to serve a mission

In northern California, Folsom High School’s Walker Lyons is one of the country’s top tight ends. He has been heavily recruited by 35 different college football programs, and he was named Man of the Year at the high school All-American Bowl. But his immediate future does not include football.

Lyons will be serving a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Norway, putting his athletic career on hold for two years.

“I have full faith in God that everything will work out the way it’s supposed to if you put Him and His Son first,” Lyons told Church News. “That is exactly what I am going to do.”

“The most impressive thing about him has nothing to do with his football ability,” Folsom High School head football coach Paul Doherty told Church News. His former coach also praised Lyons for his leadership on and off the field and his “genuine humility.”

You can watch the Church News video featuring Lyons in the player above and read more about his decision here.

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