WR, Blake Lynch (6-3, 205) | Gilmer (TX) High School
— Only behind Chris Platt, Lynch is Baylor's second leading receiver returning from the 2016 season. As a redshirt freshman last fall, Lynch caught 34 passes for 404 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 80 yards on 12 carries while playing 11 games.
— The biggest thing holding Lynch back heading into his sophomore campaign was time missed in the spring due to an injury. Lynch began spring practice before being sidelined follow hernia surgery. With a new offense being installed, Lynch missed valuable time getting hands on experience with the new scheme.
— Coming off of his freshman season, the biggest concern about Lynch's game was his ability to hang on to the football, something that more often than not is the biggest pitfall for freshmen playmakers. If Lynch can prove he can be more reliable with the ball in his hands, it will only improve the impact he can have on a game.
— His strength as a receiver is his ability to almost always be in a mismatch with the defense. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds that you will question when you put your eyes on him, Lynch has the size over smaller defensive backs when matched up on the outside. However, his biggest strength could become his ability to overcome a press coverage of bigger safeties and linebackers in the slot because of his size- athletic ability ratio.
— Lynch is still learning to play as a true receiver after being a do-it-all prospect for Gilmer during their state championship run in 2015 and a quarterback prior to that. As he matures and progresses in those areas, I expect Lynch to continually get better and become more of an impact player.
Blake is one of my favorite players. This is very telling of his ability: "As a redshirt freshman last fall, Lynch caught 34 passes for 404 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 80 yards on 12 carries while playing 11 games."
I remember being amazed at his ability to not only catch the ball, but line up at tailback and pick up 10 yards at a pop. This young man is very talented and I hope he gets over his injuries soon and back on the field, because I think he loves this game.