James Lynch: Defensive End, Baylor
One of my favorite defensive linemen to study on film this year was Baylor’s James Lynch. He has an incredibly high motor that is running from start to finish in every game. He really excelled as the defensive end in Baylor’s hybrid 3-4 scheme.
He racked up a whopping 19 tackles for loss and 13 sacks (for reference, Lynch’s 13 sacks is four more than Tillery’s best season at Notre Dame) this past season for the Bears and was named defensive player of the conference for his efforts.
He comes in at 6’4 and 290 pounds so he’s certainly not a nose tackle like Fotu, but he does come with good size and uses his functional strength very well. He isn’t the best athlete, if he were he would have been taken already.
That being said, as the defensive end in Baylor’s scheme he was almost always rushing against double teams, as they used a three-man rush on almost every play. He was able to work through those and be ultra-productive because of his high motor and very quick hands. He has a very strong bull rush, but can counter with his hands as well.
The fit would be a little awkward with Justin Jones and Jerry Tillery but I believe one of them would be able to play the nose, at least in passing down situations. Either way, every team in the league is looking for multiple guys who can generate a pass rush from the interior these days. Lining up Lynch with Jones or Tillery manning the other tackle spot sounds mighty tempting to me.
Best of 2019: James Lynch’s record-setting season Presented by Cen-Tex Roof Systems #SicEm pic.twitter.com/D6YcYrcZAt
— Baylor Football (@BUFootball) March 25, 2020