Legacy Recruit Kare' Lyles Ready to Learn from 'QB Guru' and Star in Big Ten

More than three months after leading his high school squad on a state title run that featured 40 touchdown tosses, quarterback Kare' Lyles was still in search of an FBS offer.

It turns out, all he needed to do was head home.

The 6'1", 215-pound passer picked up an offer last week while on a visit to Wisconsin, a campus that helped create some of his fondest childhood memories.

"I was reminiscing about all the time we spent there when my dad would take us," Lyles said. "I used to run around the field picturing myself being a Badger."

Those imaginative visions came to fruition Thursday when Wisconsin formally extended an offer to the in-state product:

Less than 72 hours later, Lyles became a member of the Badgers' 2016 recruiting class.

Though he's now known as the offensive leader at Arizona powerhouse Saguaro High School, Lyles spent the majority of his upbringing in the Madison area. His father, Kevin Lyles, played for Wisconsin from 1993-1996, lining up alongside current Badgers offensive coordinator Joe Rudolph.

"My mom put together a book filled with stuff from his playing days in Madison, so that gave me a chance to understand the history and tradition there," Lyles said.

His family relocated to the Southwest in April 2012. Instead of making his mark at Middleton High School in Wisconsin, it set the stage for him to rise up with Saguaro in Scottsdale.

Lyles spent his underclassman seasons serving as a backup to eventual Cal signee Luke Rubenzer before stepping up as full-time starter in 2014.

The results were extremely impressive.

He completed 71 percent of his pass attempts for 3,420 yards, 40 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Lyles capped off a 14-0 campaign with 270 yards and two scores in the state championship game.

Despite the success and constant collegiate attention on his offense, courtesy of 5-star prospect and new Texas A&M wide receiver Christian Kirk, offers alluded the junior quarterback.

"I'll be coming in with a chip on my shoulder because I do feel like I've been overlooked," Lyles said.

He idolizes Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who entered college at N.C. State as a largely unheralded 3-star recruit (a rating Lyles shares). Wilson finished his collegiate career at Wisconsin, where he flourished under the direction of Paul Chryst, who served as offensive coordinator.

Chryst returned to Madison as head coach in December after a three-year stint at Pittsburgh.

"Coach Chryst is a quarterback guru," Lyles said. "He's had a lot of success with the position and you can see the kind of intelligence he provides players with while they're learning the offense and studying film. He's the kind of guy you can trust and someone who motivates you to work hard."

Jason Redmond/Associated Press

The collection of current NFL quarterbacks who recently worked with Chryst in college includes Wilson, Scott Tolzien (Green Bay Packers) and Tom Savage (Houston Texans).

He inherits a Badgers depth chart with senior Joel Stave as starter, so the void at quarterback will be a key point of interest in Madison this time next year. Lyles, the lone 2016 Wisconsin commit handpicked by this coaching regime, believes he can become an immediate factor.

"I found the right fit for me at Wisconsin," he said. "Based on talking with Coach Chryst, I should have an opportunity to compete in 2016. I'm going to be focused on using my tools and competitiveness to try and take over the starting job. I have a lot of confidence in what I can do at the next level."

His younger brother, Kayden, accompanied him on the trip. The Saguaro sophomore is rated No. 1 nationally among 2017 offensive guards in 247Sports' composite rankings and already holds double-digit offers, including Wisconsin.

"I'd love to have him come up to join me and we'll definitely have those talks," Lyles said. "I feel like it would be a perfect opportunity for him, but he has a lot of options some guys don't have. He's a big-time recruit and I know he'll make the right decision for him."

Another Lyles family member in Madison would certainly boost Chryst's recruiting efforts. He shared an emotional moment with Kare' and his father when the quarterback committed Sunday.

"My dad was thrilled; he pretty much got teary-eyed," Lyles said. "Coach Chyrst was pumped up too. He jumped out of his chair and gave me a hug. It was a great experience. The excitement I felt was something special."

Courtesy of Kare' Lyles

Set to enter a second season as Saguaro's starter, he feels relieved in knowing where his future lies in football. Although Lyles is heading exactly where he wants to be, a lack of interest from other programs will always be a part of his motivation.

"No matter how much I feel overlooked, I tell myself to have a 5-star work ethic and 5-star mentality with everything I do, on the field or in the weight room," he said. "My whole thing is 'Make them notice'. That's what I tell myself. That's what I tell my teammates. That's the mindset I'll bring to Wisconsin."

Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.