James Lynch

• Played in 9 games as a rookie and had 1st career sack on Russell Wilson at Seattle (10/11/20) on Sunday Night Football.

• 2019 1st-Team All-American (Walter Camp, USA Today) and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year after setting a Baylor single-season record with 13.5 sacks.

OFF THE FIELD

• Father, Tim, played LB at the University of Nebraska. Brother, Dustin, played at Texas State.

• Middle name is Husker, in honor of his dad's career there.

• Partnered with Uplifting Athletes during the 2020 NFL Combine to raise money for the rare disease community.

• Played in 9 games as a rookie and had 1st career sack on Russell Wilson at Seattle (10/11/20) on Sunday Night Football.

• 2019 1st-Team All-American (Walter Camp, USA Today) and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year after setting a Baylor single-season record with 13.5 sacks.

OFF THE FIELD

• Father, Tim, played LB at the University of Nebraska. Brother, Dustin, played at Texas State.

• Middle name is Husker, in honor of his dad's career there.

• Partnered with Uplifting Athletes during the 2020 NFL Combine to raise money for the rare disease community.

PRO

• Drafted by Minnesota in the 4th Round (#130) of the 2020 NFL Draft with a pick acquired in a trade with New Orleans.

• Teammate at Baylor with fellow Vikings rookies Blake Lynch and Harrison Hand, who transferred to Temple for 2019 season.

2020: MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Played in 9 games as a rookie, notching 1st career sack on Russell Wilson in his NFL debut at Seattle (10/11).

• Had 1 tackle vs. Dallas (11/22) and at Tampa Bay (12/13).

• Played in final 4 straight games of rookie season and 9 games overall in his first season. 

• Originally drafted in 4th Round (#130).

COLLEGE

• Helped resurgence of Baylor program that improved from 1-11 campaign in 2017 to a bowl win over Vanderbilt in 2018 and peaked with an 11-3 season in 2019, including OT loss in Big 12 title against Oklahoma and Sugar Bowl loss to Georgia.

• Set a Baylor record with 13.5 sacks as a junior in 2019.

• 2019 honors included 1st-Team All-American, 1st-Team All-Big 12, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.

• Finished Baylor career with 27 starts in 38 games, had 33.5 career TFL, 22.0 sacks (Baylor record) and 3 blocked kicks.

• Helped lead Baylor to a 11-3 record and a berth in the Allstate Sugar Bowl in 2019.

• Led Baylor with 5.5 sacks and 9 TFL as a sophomore in 2018, earning 2nd-Team All-Big 12 honors.

• Played in 11 games as a true freshman in 2017 as a reserve DL and led all Big 12 freshman with 3.0 sacks on the season.

PREP

• A 3-time All-District choice at DL/TE for Round Rock High near Austin, TX.

• Racked up 46 tackles, 14 TFL and 8.0 sacks as a senior in 2016.

• Earned District Defensive Lineman of the Year and 2nd-Team All-Central Texas as a junior in 2015.