Lynch stakes claim as Penn State's top running back

Akeel Lynch has waited a long time to be Penn State's featured running back. The junior-to-be redshirted his first season with the Nittany Lions and didn't start a single game until the 10th contest of the 2014 season against Temple.

Now, Lynch, who finished as Penn State's leading rusher last year with 678 yards despite averaging fewer than 12 rushes per game, has seized the starting role in spring practice and doesn't plan to let go any time soon.

"For me individually, it's just establishing myself as the No. 1 running back," he said Tuesday. "Just because I'm an older guy doesn't mean I have the spot guaranteed. I've got to continue every day to prove that I am the No. 1 running back, that I can be the No. 1 running back."

The 6-foot, 220-pound Lynch, a native of Toronto, knows he must do more than that. He needs to take care of his body in anticipation of getting more than 12 carries a game this season. He also feels the responsibility to teach the Lions' young stable of backup running backs in the same way that Bill Belton and Zach Zwinak guided him.

He said an important factor in starting at such a high-profile position is the mentality.

"Being the No. 1 back is different than coming off the bench," he said. "It's just realizing that the team needs you to be the No. 1 back and to continue to do all the things that you need to do - run the ball, make plays, catch the ball, block, pretty much everything."

The work Lynch has put in this spring has caught the attention of quarterback Christian Hackenberg.

"I think his overall understanding of the scheme and what he needs to do, and his maturity, we can sort of see him coming into his own," Hackenberg said. "He's a guy I have a ton of respect for, and he's a guy who's extremely competitive and is fun to be around."

Lynch takes pride in his durability. As a redshirt freshman, he was having a good game against Ohio State when he suffered a sprained knee and missed three of the Nittany Lions' final four contests.

"I was definitely disappointed in myself, because I had an opportunity, but an injury slowed me down," he said. "From that point, I would make sure that I could take care of my body in a professional way, continue to do stuff beyond football to take care of myself. It was one of my lowest moments, but it made me realize that I wouldn't allow injury to make me miss another window."

Lynch is excited about the offense's potential this season. The starters on the line have added a year of experience. Hackenberg has worked hard with offensive coordinator John Donovan. The young receivers have improved.

Coach James Franklin may not show a lot at Saturday's Blue-White Game, but Lynch says the fans will see an offense that "is moving a lot more smoothly."

They also will see a new starting running back who can't wait to get started."