James Lynch (American football)
{{Short description|American football player (born 1999)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = James Lynch
| image = James Lynch (52498733293) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Lynch with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Nose tackle
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|1|20}}
| birth_place = Round Rock, Texas, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lb = 295
| high_school = Round Rock
| college = Baylor (2017–2019)
| draftyear = 2020
| draftround = 4
| draftpick = 130
| pastteams =
- Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|2020|2023}})
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2024}})
| status =
| highlights =
- Unanimous All-American (2019)
- Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (2019)
- Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year (2019)
- First team All-Big 12 (2019)
| statleague = NFL
| statseason = 2024
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 73
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 2.0
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 =
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 1
| statlabel5 = Pass deflections
| statvalue5 = 2
| pfr = L/LyncJa00
}}
James Husker Lynch (born January 20, 1999) is an American professional football nose tackle. He played college football at Baylor and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft. He has also played for the Tennessee Titans.
Early life
Lynch grew up in Round Rock, Texas and attended Round Rock High School, playing defensive line and punter on the school's football team. He was named the District 13-6A lineman of the year in each of his final two high school seasons. As a senior, Lynch recorded 46 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 3 pass breakups, 3 fumbles recoveries and a forced fumble and punted 27 times for an average of 43.7 yards.{{Cite web |last=Jeyarajah |first=Shehan |date=October 10, 2017 |title=Baylor might use 285-pound defensive tackle at punter |url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/sports/college/baylor-might-use-285-pound-defensive-tackle-punter/UrEqW2Uv15y1Q0Z95nbWYI/amp.html |access-date=December 5, 2019 |website=Springfield News-Sun |archive-date=December 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206042716/https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/sports/college/baylor-might-use-285-pound-defensive-tackle-punter/UrEqW2Uv15y1Q0Z95nbWYI/amp.html |url-status=dead }} He initially committed to play college football at Texas Christian before switching his commitment to USC. Lynch de-committed again during his senior year before deciding to play at Baylor.{{Cite web |last=Trevino |first=Chris |date=December 10, 2016 |title=3-star DT Lynch decommits from USC |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/3-star-dt-lynch-decommits-from-usc/ |access-date=December 5, 2019 |website=CBSSports.com}}
College career
Lynch played in 11 games during his true freshman season as a member of the Bears' defensive tackle rotation and was named a Freshman All-American by ESPN after making 20 tackles (five for loss), three sacks (most among Big 12 Conference freshmen) and a fumble recovery.{{Cite web |date=December 11, 2017 |title=Baylor defensive tackle James Lynch named ESPN Freshman All-American |url=https://www.wacotrib.com/sports/college/baylor/baylor-defensive-tackle-james-lynch-named-espn-freshman-all-american/article_f9c7cb6c-b5d7-5a91-a669-bf8759b99c61.html |access-date=May 30, 2023 |website=WacoTrib.com}}{{Cite web |last=Werner |first=John |date=September 13, 2018 |title=Lynch thriving on Baylor defensive line |url=https://www.wacotrib.com/sports/college/baylor/lynch-thriving-on-baylor-defensive-line/article_76bdc717-8f4e-5d3c-8c8e-49815010116b.html |access-date=May 30, 2023 |website=WacoTrib.com}} As a sophomore, he led the team with 5.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss and was named first-team All-Big 12 by the Associated Press and to the second-team by the league's coaches.{{Cite web |last=Kaut |first=Kendall |date=December 7, 2018 |title=James Lynch and Drew Galitz Named A.P. First Team All-Big 12 |url=https://www.ourdailybears.com/2018/12/7/18131464/james-lynch-and-drew-galitz-named-a-p-first-team-all-big-12 |access-date=December 5, 2019 |website=OurDailyBears.com |publisher=SB Nation}}
Lynch was named preseason first-team All-Big 12 and to the Chuck Bednarik Award watchlist entering his junior season.{{Cite web |date=July 9, 2019 |title=Baylor's Lynch, Johnston named to Big 12 preseason team |url=https://www.kxxv.com/sports/baylor-bears/baylors-lynch-johnston-named-to-big-12-preseason-team |access-date=December 5, 2019 |website=KXXV.com}} Lynch was named first-team All-Big 12, the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, the conference Defensive Player of the Year and was a unanimous All-America selection after finishing the regular season with 41 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and a conference-high 13.5 sacks along with three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, five passes defended and two blocked kicks.{{Cite web |date=December 4, 2019 |title=OK State's Chuba Hubbard, Baylor's James Lynch named Big 12's top players |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/28226831/ok-state-chuba-hubbard-baylor-james-lynch-named-big-12-top-players |access-date=December 5, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |publisher=Associated Press}}{{Cite web |last=Tavares |first=Chris |date=December 4, 2019 |title=Texas lands two on All-Big 12 first team, Lynch earns multiple honors |url=https://www.kxan.com/sports/texas-lands-two-on-all-big-12-first-team-lynch-earns-multiple-honors/ |access-date=December 5, 2019 |website=KXAN.com}}{{Cite web |last=Kosko |first=Nick |date=January 13, 2020 |title=Baylor defensive end James Lynch declares for NFL Draft |url=https://247sports.com/Article/Baylor-Football-James-Lynch-declares-NFL-Draft-Big-12-142107713/ |access-date=May 30, 2023 |website=247Sports.com}} Lynch announced that he would forgo his senior season to enter the 2020 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Khan Jr. |first=Sam |date=January 13, 2020 |title=Baylor star lineman James Lynch declares for draft |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28475486/baylor-star-lineman-james-lynch-declares-draft |access-date=May 30, 2023 |website=ESPN.com}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 3 5/8
| weight = 289
| dash = 5.01
| ten split = 1.73
| twenty split = 2.92
| shuttle = 4.39
| cone drill = 7.39
| vertical = 29.0
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 3
| bench = 23
| arm span = 31 7/8
| hand span = 9 7/8
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |title=James Lynch Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/james-lynch/32004c59-4e20-3895-d596-bf65d3020e46 |access-date=April 25, 2020 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=2023 NFL Draft Scout James Lynch College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1025117&DraftYear=2020 |access-date=February 3, 2024 |website=DraftScout.com}}
}}
=Minnesota Vikings=
Lynch was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 130th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.{{Cite web |last=Seats |first=Alex |date=April 25, 2020 |title=Minnesota Vikings draft James Lynch |url=https://247sports.com/Article/James-Lynch-picked-Vikings-2020-NFL-Draft-Baylor-146396095/ |access-date=April 25, 2020 |website=247 Sports}} He made his NFL debut on October 11, 2020, against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football and recorded his first career sack on Russell Wilson during the 27–26 loss.{{Cite web |last=Craig |first=Mark |date=October 12, 2020 |title=Five extra points: Maybe Russell Wilson has made his last red zone mistake |url=https://www.startribune.com/maybe-russell-wilson-has-made-his-last-red-zone-mistake/572711371/ |access-date=October 12, 2020 |website=Minneapolis Star Tribune}}
On August 4, 2023, it was announced that Lynch had suffered a torn ACL in practice and would miss the entirety of the 2023 season.{{Cite web |title=Source: Vikings DL James Lynch tears ACL, likely out for '23 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38135032/source-vikings-dl-james-lynch-tears-acl-likely-23 |access-date=August 4, 2023 |website=espn.com |language=en}} He was placed on injured reserve two days later.{{Cite news |date=August 6, 2023 |title=Vikings Sign Receiver N'Keal Harry; Place James Lynch on IR |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/nkeal-harry-wide-receiver-signed-james-lynch-ir |work=Vikings.com}}
On May 14, 2024, Lynch re-signed with the Vikings.{{Cite news |date=May 14, 2024 |title=Vikings Sign Defensive Lineman James Lynch |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/james-lynch-defensive-lineman-signed |work=Vikings.com}} He was released on August 27.{{cite web|title=Vikings Utilize Reserve Lists During Roster Cuts: T.J. Hockenson on Reserve/PUP|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-utilize-reserve-lists-during-roster-cuts-t-j-hockenson-on-reserve-pup|author=Peters, Craig|website=Vikings.com|date=August 27, 2024}}
=Tennessee Titans=
On August 29, 2024, Lynch was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Ulrich |first=Logan |date=2024-08-29 |title=Titans Sign DT James Lynch To Practice Squad |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/titans-sign-dt-james-lynch-to-practice-squad/ |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |language=en-US}} He was elevated to play during the Titans' season opener against the Chicago Bears.{{Cite web |title=James Lynch 2024 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LyncJa00/gamelog/2024/ |access-date=Dec 19, 2024 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} He was then promoted to the active roster on September 11.{{cite web|title=Titans Promote DL James Lynch to Active Roster, Sign LB Kyron Johnson to Practice Squad|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-promote-dl-james-lynch-to-active-roster-sign-lb-kyron-johnson-to-practice-squad|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=September 11, 2024}} He appeared in all 17 games during the 2024 season as a rotational defensive lineman, making 20 tackles, two pass deflections, and a sack.{{Cite web |title=James Lynch 2024 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LyncJa00/gamelog/2024/ |access-date=Jan 8, 2025 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
Personal
Lynch's father, Tim, played linebacker for the University of Nebraska and gave him the middle name "Husker" after the school's mascot.{{Cite web |last=Cantu |first=Rick |date=November 21, 2016 |title=Faces Off the Field: James Lynch, senior defensive tackle, Round Rock |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20161121/faces-off-the-field-james-lynch-senior-defensive-tackle-round-rock |access-date=December 5, 2019 |website=Austin American-Statesman}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://baylorbears.com/sports/football/roster/james-lynch/9314 Baylor Bears bio]
{{2019 NCAA Division I FBS College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{Big 12 Conference football Player of the Year navbox}}
{{Vikings2020DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lynch, James}}
Category:Players of American football from Round Rock, Texas
Category:American football defensive tackles
Category:Baylor Bears football players
Category:All-American college football players