Devon Lyons was dazzling at receiver in passing camps this summer, using his leaping ability and body control to make spectacular catches look routine. Yet, entering the season, Lyons was known strictly as a safety. Few knew him as a tantalizing receiver prospect, including the Woodland Hills star himself. Then the 6-foot-31/2, 210-pounder proved to be one of the WPIAL's top offensive talents, with 23 receptions for 756 yards (32.9 per catch) and 14 touchdowns this fall. "I felt like I had something to prove," Lyons said. "I always knew I could play receiver; I just had to show others." Now, Lyons is one of the most coveted receivers in the country, one for which Miami, Michigan State, Notre Dame and Ohio State are in a recruiting battle over. "What's funny," said Wes Lyons, Devon's father, "is that no one has his senior tape at wide receiver yet." What's even funnier is that recruiting services continue to rank Lyons as a safety prospect -- Rivals.com ranks him fifth nationally, and TheInsiders.com ranks him 13th -- even though his perspective on his college future has changed. "I think I'm going to play wide receiver," Lyons said. "That's on my mind. I'm still open to playing safety, but I really want to play wide receiver." Lyons lists Miami and Michigan State as his co-leaders, with Ohio State and Notre Dame close behind. He claims not to have a favorite, but after a conversation with Lyons, signals point to Michigan State as the odds-on favorite. Why• The Spartans were the first to recruit Lyons as a receiver, telling him that they envisioned him as their next Charles Rogers. It didn't hurt that new coach John L. Smith installed an offense with four- and five-receiver sets. "As a wide receiver, that seems like the offense to be in," Lyons said. 'They pass a lot. It's like a receiver's dream." Lyons has made official visits to all four of his finalists, yet was prepared all along to wait until January to make his decision. That proved to be a smart move, as he was smitten with each school during the visit. Notre Dame had mystique and tradition. Michigan State had the campus and facilities. Miami had the weather and nightlife, as well as a powerhouse program. Ohio State put on a show, lighting his name on the stadium scoreboard. After returning, Lyons weighed the pros and cons of each school. He thought with his head, not his heart, and saw their positives and negatives. Although Lyons was enamored with coach Tyrone Willingham, he sensed tension at Notre Dame. Michigan State's fan support dwindled in a losing cause against Michigan. Miami's distance from home was a factor. And Ohio State's run-oriented offense was a drawback. "I compare Ohio State the most to Woodland Hills, the way they win championships," Lyons said. "Their offense is kind of like ours, too -- run first, pass second -- and I like a little more balance." Although Miami remains one of his favorites, Lyons determined that seven hours is a likely maximum distance for his ultimate choice because his brother, Wes, is a promising sophomore receiver-defensive back at Woodland Hills. "Distance is definitely a factor," Lyons said. "That's what I'm really trying to decide. It's always nice to have your family at the game, but they're going to have to go to Wes' games on Friday, then leave that night for my game." For that reason, Lyons hasn't ruled out Pitt. It's the hometown team and has put a premium on receivers, but the ACC's raid on the Big East and the departure of assistant coach J.D. Brookhart has sabotaged the Panthers' chances. With one official visit remaining, Lyons might use it to go to Michigan, where former Woodland Hills stars Steve Breaston and Ryan Mundy are now playing. Lyons, however, has longed to step out of their shadows and receive his own share of attention. He's already proving to be quite the catch.

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