Back in his redshirt freshman season of 2013, Akeel Lynch looked like he had the potential to be the next great Penn State running back. He was stuck behind Zach Zwinak and Bill Belton on Bill O’Brien’s depth chart, but that didn’t stop the Canadian tailback from rushing for over 100 yards against early-season MAC opponents Eastern Michigan and Kent State. Still, Lynch’s inexperience kept him from being a major part of the offense going forward.
He was stuck in a committee once again to start the 2014 campaign, but Lynch looked to establish himself as the lead back in November with big performances against Temple and Illinois.