Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year James Lynch is leaving Baylor to enter the 2020 NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-4, 295-pound junior defensive tackle was a two-time All-Big 12 first-team selection who led the conference with 13.5 sacks in 2019. He was second in the Big 12 with 19 1/2 tackles for loss.
“After much prayer and discussing my future with my family and coaches, I have decided it is time to go chase my next dream and that is playing in the National Football League,” Lynch posted Monday on Twitter.
During three seasons in Waco, Lynch helped the Bears improve from 1-11 in 2017 to 11-3 and a berth in the Sugar Bowl in 2019.
His final numbers include 101 tackles, 33 1/2 tackles for loss, 22 sacks seven passes defensed, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and three blocked kicks.
Baylor had already lost head coach Matt Rhule to the NFL. He was hired earlier this month to coach the Carolina Panthers.
