By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

Follow us at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin.  Become a fan at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page

Clinton Lynch appears ready for a return to his regular role: simply making big plays.

Entering his senior season, Georgia Tech A-back Clinton Lynch has career averages of 9.6 yards per rush and 26.9 yards per reception. As a ball-carrier and a pass-catcher, the dynamic talent gains roughly 13.2 yards, a first down and then some, every time he touches the football. Just for perspective, Lynch’s yard per-carry-average is higher than Florida State’s and Miami’s and his yard-per-catch average is higher than those of former ACC stars DeAndre Hopkins and Ryan Switzer, those duos, in their respective categories, combined.

Though, with just 144 total attempts, he likely won’t reach the minimum for consideration, Lynch’s current work rate towers over the current career league records held by Warrick Dunn, at 6.9 yards per rush, and Herman Moore, with 22 yards per reception. Again, simply for relative context, the national marks stand at 8.2 yards and 22.5, belonging to Chuck Weatherspoon and Jalin Robinette, respectively. Point being, Lynch, even with limited opportunities, has been a truly remarkable home run threat.

Big plays for Lynch go all the way back to the beginning. His very first carry against an FBS opponent was a 45-yard scoring scamper against Tulane and his fourth catch, coming against eventual national runner-up Clemson, was a 50-yard touchdown reception. Lynch has scored 16 total touchdowns to date, and counting. He, since day one, has been a highlight waiting to happen. It looks like a healthy senior season awaits.

Throughout his career, Lynch has seven runs of at least 30 yards, five rushes of at least 40 yards and, interestingly, nine catches of a minimum of 30 yards, six of at least 40, five of at least 50 and three receptions of 60 yards or more.

With Georgia Tech returning a talented and experienced offensive group, a unit led by quarterback TaQuan Marshall, look for Lynch to be the Yellow Jackets’ x-factor this fall. He, Kirvonte Benson, Nathan Cottrell, Jerry Howard and Qua Searcy form an impressive collection of offensive weapons. Lynch brings a different downfield dynamic to the triple-option attack, putting extra pressure on opposing front sevens and secondaries alike. Lynch stretches the field, both horizontally and vertically, an important threat in Paul Johnson’s scheme.

Should Georgia Tech realize its full potential, Lynch will likely be prominently featured. He brings a different edge to what the Yellow Jackets do. This is a talent with signature moments against the like of Clemson, Georgia, Miami and Virginia Tech already on his resume. The last time Lynch had more than five touches in a single game, against Duke in late October of 2016, he compiled 106 total yards and scored two touchdowns.

After limited production last fall, Lynch appears ready for a return to his regular role: simply making big plays. Correspondingly, be on the lookout for Georgia Tech’s offensive growth.