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Georgia Tech Football Countdown to Kickoff: Clinton Lynch’s time as No.49

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 12: Clinton Lynch #49 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets rushes for a touchdown against Brandon Facyson #31 of the Virginia Tech Hokies at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 12, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 12: Clinton Lynch #49 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets rushes for a touchdown against Brandon Facyson #31 of the Virginia Tech Hokies at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 12, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Before Clinton Lynch wore the No.22 for the Georgia Tech football program, he spent time as No.49 for the Yellow Jackets and is our featured player in today’s countdown to kickoff.

We’re almost there folks! We are officially under 50 days until Georgia Tech football returns for their 2019 campaign. With no active No.49 on Georgia Tech’s roster, we take a look at a recent alumnus, running back Clinton Lynch.

Coming out of high school, Lynch was rated as a two-star wide receiver out out of Norcross High School. He would sign with the Yellow Jackets with the class of 2014 after picking the Jackets over mostly Group of 5 offers. Despite the low rating, Lynch would end up playing well beyond what would’ve been expected from him out of high school.

When Lynch arrived on campus, he made a move to the a-back position in Georgia Tech’s triple option offense under then head coach Paul Johnson.

After being a member of the scout team and redshirting his true freshman season in 2014, Lynch made his debut in 2015 while wearing the number 49. During that freshman season, Lynch was tremendous all things considered.

With 60 touches (49 carries, 11 receptions) as a redshirt freshman, Lynch had a total yardage of 739 and also scored eight touchdowns. Among the leaders on the team in that category in 2015.

That season he had two games in which he eclipsed 100 total yards with 112 against Miami and 132 yards against Virginia. He almost had a third game that season in accomplishing the task but fell just a yard short against Georgia to end the regular season.

Lynch would switch away from 49 following that season but would go into have great success at Georgia Tech.

He had a tremendous sophomore season in 2016, picking up almost 1,000 total yards. He wouldn’t regain that success in 2017 and 2018 but still was a valuable part of the Jackets offense.

This past season against Bowling Green, Lynch became the first Jacket in history to eclipse 1,000 career rushing yards and 1,000 career receiving yards.

Lynch ended his eligibility in 2018 and should be remembered fondly around The Flats for being a reliable threat out of the backfield and one of the best all-purpose backs in the country in 2015 and 2016.

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