ATHOL SPRINGS, N.Y.-St. Francis senior Akeel Lynch has decided to play college football at Penn State. Lynch who committed to Boston College in the summer said he did it early because he wasn't certain how much interest there would be in him. After a great senior season he drew plenty of interest.
Penn State, Iowa, Mississippi and Oklahoma were among the schools that recruited Lynch. Lynch told Two On Your Side's Stu Boyar "Penn State was a school that I always admired as a kid and the opportunity to look at it as soon as they hired a new head coach was an opportunity I had to take. From going there and seeing the place at a different perspective and a new light I really like the place. I like the direction they're heading and also the foundation Joe Paterno built there I think that will never get destroyed. It will only be added on so after talking to my mom, coach Smith and my family members I decided to go to Penn State. "
In the past year Penn State has been rocked by a sex abuse scandal. Former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky is facing multiple charges although he denies the allegations. The scandal led to Paterno's firing late last year. Paterno passed away Sunday morning. Lynch said one man couldn't destroy what Paterno built over the past 40 plus years. "I believe what Joe Paterno built with the academic integrity, the football tradition, the Blue and White, the black shoes I think that will never leave. The one man, I think he couldn't destroy the whole thing he built obviously it puts a black eye on Penn State but its still a great school." Lynch plans to study business and possibly criminal justice at Penn State.
Lynch had a great senior year rushing for 2136 yards and 25 touchdowns. He told Stu that the coaches have told him they expect him to be in the rotation next fall although no one is promising him anything. However that does mean next fall he might have the chance to step onto the field in front of more than 100 thousand roaring Nittany Lions fans. "You hear how loud it got when the team came out and you just picture yourself being there. Its kind of like a dream but now that dream has become a reality so its definitely enticing to go to Penn State with 110-thousand people cheering for you. And that's the WOW factor about Penn State when you go there the atmosphere still hasn't changed."