The 2024 offseason has been a rollercoaster for UMass RB Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams. After amassing 1,157 yards and 12 touchdowns (both school FBS records) on 236 carries as a redshirt junior, Lynch-Adams declared for the NFL Draft on Dec. 3.
However, just nine days later, he withdrew his name from the draft and entered the transfer portal. Then, in mid-January, Lynch-Adams announced he was returning to UMass for the 2024 campaign. You see where this is going.
On Thursday, March 28, just two days after UMass’ spring practices began, Lynch-Adams informed the coaching staff he wanted to take his talents elsewhere. Where will the 1,000-yard suit up in 2024?
Landing Spots for Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams
One note to clear up: While KLA signed a NIL agreement with The Midnight Ride, a UMass collective, they include a “claw-back provision” with athletes they sign, meaning they will not lose money with Lynch-Adams transferring, and he didn’t return just to cash a check and leave.
Following two years at Rutgers, Lynch-Adams spent the 2021-2022 seasons as Ellis Merryweather’s backup for the Minutemen. But as the lead back in 2023, he became only the second player in school history to crack 1,000 rushing yards since UMass joined the FBS in 2013.
Health and opportunity led to Lynch-Adams’ breakout campaign, but there was also another reason: the birth of his daughter. “I just know I’m running for more than myself out there,” the star RB said after the season.
Supporting his family and chasing his dreams were what led to Lynch-Adams initially declaring for the draft, but after further consideration (and possibly advice from coaches and agents), he decided to return for his sixth year.
Lynch-Adams’ decision to re-enter the portal comes after UMass saw four players decide to transfer on March 25. The next day, during head coach Don Brown’s first spring media session, he said, “I can’t worry about guys that went in [to the portal]. The portal giveth and the portal taketh away … It’s happening all over the country, so you can’t worry about it; you just move on.”
As Brown and his staff work to find Lynch-Adams’ replacement, the sixth-year back will open his recruitment for the fourth time in his career. He told On3 he received interest from Ohio State, Ole Miss, and Florida State in December, but do they still make sense as landing spots?
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes currently have the best RB duo in the country with TreVeyon Henderson and Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins. However, there are rumors Judkins could leave Ohio State to rejoin Lane Kiffin’s offense. That’s hard to believe, considering he just lost his black stripe this week (a rite of passage for the program) and said, “I’m happy to be in the best place in America.”
If Judkins doesn’t leave Columbus, it’s difficult to see why Lynch-Adams would want to spend his final collegiate campaign as the third-string back, even if it’s on one of the best teams in the nation and in his home state.
Ohio Bobcats
A far more likelier destination in Ohio is with the Bobcats. Their top two rushers, Sieh Bangura and O’Shaan Allison, are gone, leaving redshirt freshman Rickey Hunt as the project starter. Hunt dominated in the Myrtle Beach Bowl against Georgia Southern (only his second game with a carry), rushing 115 yards and four scores on 17 carries.
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Regardless, Ohio’s staff shouldn’t let one game and unknown potential stop them from bringing in a proven and experienced talent.
Ole Miss Rebels
If Judkins has no intention of returning to Ole Miss, as all signs point to, the Rebels should entertain the idea of adding Lynch-Adams. Now, they already have 2023 SMU transfer Ulysses Bentley IV, and they stole Logan Diggs away from LSU this offseason.
Still, Judkins vacates 271 carries, so there is enough room for a three-headed monster. And even if Kiffin prefers to consolidate touches to two backs, KLA may fit the offense better than Diggs.
Florida State Seminoles
With QB Jordan Travis off to the NFL, head coach Mike Norvell will want to lean on his backfield more in 2024. It won’t be easy, with star RB Trey Benson also making the professional jump.
Lawrance Toafili returns and the Seminoles brought in Alabama’s Roydell Williams. Yet, Lynch-Adams fits the team’s gap-scheme-heavy offense perfectly and could pick up where Benson left off.
Miami RedHawks
The RedHawks produced a 1,000-yard rusher in Rashad Amos last season, but he is currently in the transfer portal. Returners Kenny Tracy and Keyon Mozee combined for 81 carries, 410 yards, and four scores in 2023 and wouldn’t dissuade Miami from adding an RB1 candidate like Lynch-Adams.
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Playing time? Check. Close to home? Check. Head coach Chuck Martin’s rushing attack centers around zone looks, which KLA has less experience in, but his explosiveness, vision, and patience transcend scheme.
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