Dancing with the Stars professional dancer Rylee Arnold is attracting renewed attention as her partnership with comedian Connor Wood continues to spark romance speculation during Season 35. The pair’s increasingly confident performances have generated considerable discussion among viewers, but Arnold remains in a relationship with college football player Walker Lyons. The couple has been dating since October 2024 and continues to support each other while pursuing demanding careers in different states.

The 21-year-old dancer has been open about the challenges of maintaining a long-distance relationship with Lyons, who plays football for Brigham Young University in Utah. Their relationship has also attracted attention because of its unusual beginning, shared religious background and Arnold’s public affection for the college athlete.

Who Is Rylee Arnold’s Boyfriend?

Rylee Arnold’s boyfriend, Walker Lyons, is an American college football player who represents the BYU Cougars as a tight end. Born on March 13, 2004, in California, Lyons grew up in Folsom and developed an interest in competitive football during his school years.

The 22-year-old athlete attended Folsom High School, where his performances helped establish him as a promising football prospect. He initially joined the University of Southern California, playing for the USC Trojans before transferring to Brigham Young University in January 2026.

Lyons also shares Arnold’s religious faith. Both belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Lyons previously completed a two-year missionary assignment in Norway before beginning his college football career.

His move to BYU brought him closer to Arnold’s home state of Utah, although their professional commitments still require them to spend considerable time apart.

How Did Rylee Arnold and Walker Lyons Meet?

Arnold and Lyons have an unusual relationship story that began with a seemingly ordinary Uber ride in Los Angeles. During the journey, Arnold started talking with her driver, who happened to be Lyons’ aunt.

The driver suggested that Arnold should meet her nephew, believing they would make a good couple. Although Arnold did not immediately pursue the suggestion, she later mentioned the encounter to her sisters.

Her family encouraged her to find Lyons on Instagram, especially after discovering that they already shared several mutual connections. Arnold followed him, and he eventually returned the follow before sending her a message.

Their online conversations developed into regular texting, and Lyons subsequently asked Arnold on a date. What began as an unexpected introduction soon developed into a serious relationship.

When Did Their Relationship Become Public?

Arnold officially introduced Lyons to her social media followers in October 2024. She shared photographs from one of his USC football games, including a picture of the couple embracing after the match.

Her playful caption, “Is this a hard launch??”, confirmed what followers had already begun to suspect.

The relationship quickly became popular among Arnold’s supporters, who enjoyed seeing the dancer share moments from her personal life outside the ballroom.

Over the following months, the couple attended public events together, including the Los Angeles premiere of Wicked. They also celebrated relationship milestones and shared photographs from holidays and family gatherings.

In April 2025, Arnold marked their six-month anniversary with an affectionate tribute, describing Lyons as her best friend.

Their relationship continued throughout 2026, with the couple enjoying trips together whenever their schedules allowed. Arnold also dismissed engagement speculation that emerged following a family vacation in December 2025, confirming that she was not engaged.

How Do They Handle Long-Distance Dating?

One of the biggest challenges facing Arnold and Lyons is their demanding professional schedules. Arnold spends considerable time in Los Angeles filming Dancing with the Stars, while Lyons attends BYU and trains with the university’s football team in Provo.

During a September 2026 interview, Arnold explained that regular communication helps maintain their relationship despite the distance.

“Honestly for us we just FaceTime every single night, we keep each other updated,” she said.

Arnold acknowledged that being apart can be difficult, particularly when football season overlaps with her television commitments. However, she believes the experience has strengthened their emotional connection.

The dancer has also explained that their separate schedules allow both partners to concentrate on their ambitions without sacrificing their commitment to each other.

Although they cannot always attend each other’s important events, Arnold frequently expresses pride in Lyons’ football achievements, while he continues to support her dancing career.

What Happened With Connor Wood on DWTS?

Arnold’s relationship attracted additional attention during Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars, when she was paired with comedian and social media personality Connor Wood.

Their chemistry became a talking point after several performances featured close choreography and emotionally expressive moments. Viewers particularly noticed their intense connection during a tango performance early in the competition.

Arnold addressed the speculation by explaining that creating convincing chemistry is a normal part of professional ballroom dancing.

“It’s just dancing,” she said when questioned about an intimate moment with Wood.

The speculation resurfaced in November as the pair rehearsed an Argentine tango featuring particularly close choreography. Their growing popularity followed an impressive Week 8 performance that earned their first perfect individual scores of 10 from two judges.

A November 11 report also claimed that the dance partners were encouraging romantic speculation to generate audience interest. However, that allegation came from an unnamed source and has not been independently established.

Arnold has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationship with Wood, and her established relationship remains with Lyons.

Walker Lyons Continues Supporting Rylee Arnold

Lyons has demonstrated his support for Arnold during her television career, including publicly defending her after criticism from Dancing with the Stars judges during an October episode.

His reaction attracted positive attention from viewers who appreciated his willingness to stand behind his girlfriend during a difficult moment.

Meanwhile, Arnold has continued celebrating Lyons’ progress at BYU, where he is developing his college football career after transferring from USC.

Their relationship reflects two young public figures balancing personal commitments with increasingly demanding professional opportunities.

Despite speculation surrounding Arnold’s television partnership, there has been no confirmed announcement that she and Lyons have separated. Their romance continues to draw interest because of their shared values, mutual encouragement and determination to maintain their connection across the distance.