Toronto running back on prestigious NCAA preseason watch list (VIDEO)

Akeel Lynch’s impact is continuing to get recognized south of the border.

Yesterday, Lynch’s team, NCAA Division 1 Football Bowl Subdivision’s (FBS) Penn State Nittany Lions announced on Twitter that he is on the preseason radar for the Walter Doak Award:

Securing a spot on the @DoakWalkerAward watch list >> Nittany Lion @ALynch_22 #WeAre pic.twitter.com/OUFVSEN9ib

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) July 16, 2015

The Walter Doak Award is handed out the top running back in the nation. Lynch will find out officially on December 10^th if he is the recipient of the prestigious honour.

Lynch becomes the fifth Nittany Lion offensive star to be considered for this elite honour – DaeSean Hamilton, Kyle Carter, Christian Hackenberg and Angelo Mangiro are the others.

The 6’0, 215 pound running back from Toronto, Ontario is a senior with the Nittany Lions.  After grooming himself the past two seasons, he is expected to assume a more active role and lead the team on offence alongside other threats Zach Zwinak and Bill Belton. All three combined for 2,150 rushing yards in 2014.

In 2014, Lynch rushed for 678 yards on 678 yards on 147 carries averaging 4.6 yards per carry.  His longest carry was 47 yards and he also scored four touchdowns for the Nittany Lions. Moreover, Lynch amassed 69 yards on 10 receptions for an average of 6.9 yards per reception.

During the 2013 season, Lynch was named to the BIG 10 All-Freshman team.  That season, the running back racked up 358 yards on 60 carries (an average of 6.0 yards per carry and longest being 43 yards) and scored one touchdown in seven games.  His best performance this season was against Kent State when he has 123 rushing yards on 14 carries in a 34-0 shutout win. He also rushed for 100 yards in two games alone. He was able to accomplish these impressive numbers while overcoming injuries and not playing in five games for the Nittany Lions.

 

Previous to the Nittany Lions, the native of Toronto, Ontario enjoyed a successful football career with St.Francis Red Raiders (Buffalo, New York high school team).  During his time with the Red Raiders, Lynch was selected as New York Gatorade Player of the Year in 2011 and was also selected to the First Team All-Western New York squad.  The running back broke school records as he rushed for 2,131 yards on 213 carries and scored 25 touchdowns.

Among the teams Lynch has previously suited up in Canada has included St.Michael’s Kerry Blues of the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association (CISAA) and the Toronto Jr. Argos of the Ontario Football Conference (OFC).

(twitter: http://twitter.com/vohra_ameeta)