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Ole Miss Demolition Introduces Nation To Paxton Lynch

By Erik Lambert

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Nov 22, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Tigers quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the game against the South Florida Bulls at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Memphis Tigers beat South Florida Bulls 31-20. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

A fellow colleague at NFL Mock as well as a well-informed group of college football and draft pundits have had an eye on him for months, but not until this late October weekend did the entire nation truly hear the name Paxton Lynch and wonder exactly what the deal is with him.

For those just tuning in, Lynch is the young quarterback who just engineered one of the biggest upsets of the 2015 season, leading Memphis over #13 Ole Miss in a decisive 37-24 drubbing.  Keep in mind the Rebels were a team that only a few weeks ago had upended Alabama.  Now they were spectators on a stage reserved for this streaking meteor of a passer.

Lynch single-handedly carried the Tiger to victory, overcoming a 14-point deficit with 31-unanswered points on 39-of-53 passing, 384 yards and three touchdowns to just one interception.  It was a masterful performance against a program considered by many worthy of winning a national championship.  Last year was the first time since 1938 that Memphis had even won 10 games in a season.

It should’ve been no contest.

Apparently nobody told Lynch.  Our own Rodney Stokes Jr. identified him leading up to the game and feels he’s in perfect position to become a surprise 1st round pick in the 2016 draft.

"“One of the things I love most about watching Paxton Lynch is how natural of a passer he is, not many guys are able to effortlessly chuck a football 40 yards down the field but Lynch makes it look easy. He has a quick release and the ball comes out with some zip, he reminds me a lot of Philip Rivers with his arm strength and poise in the pocket. Lynch adds a mobility factor that Rivers doesn’t have and he’s a little more lean than the Chargers quarterback.”"

Indeed Rivers was also one of the bigger surprises of the 2004 draft over a decade ago coming out of North Carolina State.  Lynch has the physical talent and this high-profile win proves he has the chops to take down top competition.  In a word he’s checking all the boxes teams look for in a starting quarterback.

Don’t be surprised if he enters the fray of names thrown into the 1st round hat come next April.

Next: Christian Hackenberg Could Overtake Goff By Beating Ohio State

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