Former Penn State running back Akeel Lynch will play for the Nevada in 2016, Wolf Pack head coach Brian Polian announced today. Lynch announced back on January 13 that he would transfer from Penn State, and as a graduate transfer, he will be eligible to play immediately.

Lynch was originally recruited to Penn State from Toronto in the class of 2012 and redshirted his first season under head coach Bill O'Brien. In 2013, he provided depth behind Bill Belton and Zach Zwinak, and continued in that role in 2014 until injuries to Belton and Zwinak propelled him to the feature role.

Lynch was the starting running back for the first few games of 2015, but Saquon Barkley quickly ascended to the role of feature back before eventually being named starter. Still, despite being relegated to the backup role, Lynch produced for Penn State, averaging 5.1 yards per carry and being used as a pass blocker in the third down back role.

With the emergence of Barkley in 2015, the commitment of the top 2016 running back in Miles Sanders, and players like Andre Robinson, Mark Allen, and Johnathan Thomas providing depth at the position, it became clear that Lynch was going to be fighting for limited snaps in 2016, so it was no surprise to see him elect to transfer for his final collegiate season.

Best of luck to Akeel at Nevada.