James Lynch

James Lynch signs with the Minnesota Vikings for his fifth season with the team after becoming an unrestricted free agent at the start of the 2024 League Year. Originally drafted in the fourth round (130th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Baylor, Lynch has appeared in 37 games with three starts in his career, recording 53 total tackles, including four for loss, 2.0 sacks and a fumble recovery. A native of Round Rock, Texas, Lynch played in a career-high 15 games during the 2022 season, making two starts, before spending the 2023 season on injured reserve.

James Lynch signs with the Minnesota Vikings for his fifth season with the team after becoming an unrestricted free agent at the start of the 2024 League Year. Originally drafted in the fourth round (130th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Baylor, Lynch has appeared in 37 games with three starts in his career, recording 53 total tackles, including four for loss, 2.0 sacks and a fumble recovery. A native of Round Rock, Texas, Lynch played in a career-high 15 games during the 2022 season, making two starts, before spending the 2023 season on injured reserve.

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.

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.