University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Paxton Lynch Drafted by Denver Broncos
Apr 28, 2016 | Football
Becomes sixth Tiger quarterback to be drafted in to the NFL.
MEMPHIS – Former Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch was drafted in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos, Thursday. He becomes the seventh Tiger drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft (not including the supplemental draft) and the sixth Memphis quarterback to be drafted in to the NFL.
Lynch, who bypassed his senior season to enter the NFL Draft, started all 38 career games at Memphis and left second on the school's career yards (8,865) and touchdown passes (59) lists. A two-time all-conference honoree, including first team honors in 2015, Lynch was also named the team's two-time offensive MVP after guiding the Tigers to back-to-back bowl game appearances for the first time since 2007 and 2008.
With Lynch at the helm, Memphis went 19-7 over the past two seasons. As a junior, he was one of 12 finalists for the Manning Award and was one of five finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. Lynch was also a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Quarterback Award and the 79th Maxwell Award. In his last game in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Lynch tied an NCAA record, throwing seven touchdown passes in the first half, the only half he played. He found seven different receivers for those touchdowns in guiding the Tigers to a 63-0 win in the home finale. For the year, Lynch set individual records for passing yards (3,670) and touchdown passes (28), while completing 69 percent of his passes (296-443) against just four interceptions.
Former Memphis Tigers Drafted in the First Round
2012 – NFL – Dontari Poe, Defensive Tackle, No. 11 overall, Kansas City Chiefs
2006 – NFL – DeAngelo Williams, Running Back, No. 27 overall, Carolina Panthers
1996 – NFL – Jerome Woods, Defensive Back, No. 28 overall, Kansas City Chiefs
1985 – NFL – Derrick Burroughs, Defensive Back, No. 14 overall, Buffalo Bills
1985 – NFL Supplemental Draft – Derrick Burroughs, No. 24 overall, San Francisco 49ers
1978 – NFL – Keith Simpson, Defensive Back, No. 9 pick overall, Seattle Seahawks
1977 – NFL – Bob Rush, Center, No. 24 pick overall, San Diego Chargers
1965 – AFL – Harry Schuh, No. 3 overall, Oakland Raiders
Former Memphis Quarterbacks Drafted in the NFL
1994 – Steve Matthews, 7th Round, Kansas City Chiefs
1970 – Danny Pierce, 5th Round, Washington Redskins
1976 – Russ Volmer, 13th Round, Minnesota Vikings
1961 – James Earl Wright, 3rd Round, Philadelphia Eagles/14th Round Boston Patriots (AFL)
1957 -- Andy Nelson, 11th Round, Baltimore Colts (*Played DB in the NFL)
Lynch, who bypassed his senior season to enter the NFL Draft, started all 38 career games at Memphis and left second on the school's career yards (8,865) and touchdown passes (59) lists. A two-time all-conference honoree, including first team honors in 2015, Lynch was also named the team's two-time offensive MVP after guiding the Tigers to back-to-back bowl game appearances for the first time since 2007 and 2008.
With Lynch at the helm, Memphis went 19-7 over the past two seasons. As a junior, he was one of 12 finalists for the Manning Award and was one of five finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. Lynch was also a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Quarterback Award and the 79th Maxwell Award. In his last game in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Lynch tied an NCAA record, throwing seven touchdown passes in the first half, the only half he played. He found seven different receivers for those touchdowns in guiding the Tigers to a 63-0 win in the home finale. For the year, Lynch set individual records for passing yards (3,670) and touchdown passes (28), while completing 69 percent of his passes (296-443) against just four interceptions.
Former Memphis Tigers Drafted in the First Round
2012 – NFL – Dontari Poe, Defensive Tackle, No. 11 overall, Kansas City Chiefs
2006 – NFL – DeAngelo Williams, Running Back, No. 27 overall, Carolina Panthers
1996 – NFL – Jerome Woods, Defensive Back, No. 28 overall, Kansas City Chiefs
1985 – NFL – Derrick Burroughs, Defensive Back, No. 14 overall, Buffalo Bills
1985 – NFL Supplemental Draft – Derrick Burroughs, No. 24 overall, San Francisco 49ers
1978 – NFL – Keith Simpson, Defensive Back, No. 9 pick overall, Seattle Seahawks
1977 – NFL – Bob Rush, Center, No. 24 pick overall, San Diego Chargers
1965 – AFL – Harry Schuh, No. 3 overall, Oakland Raiders
Former Memphis Quarterbacks Drafted in the NFL
1994 – Steve Matthews, 7th Round, Kansas City Chiefs
1970 – Danny Pierce, 5th Round, Washington Redskins
1976 – Russ Volmer, 13th Round, Minnesota Vikings
1961 – James Earl Wright, 3rd Round, Philadelphia Eagles/14th Round Boston Patriots (AFL)
1957 -- Andy Nelson, 11th Round, Baltimore Colts (*Played DB in the NFL)
Players Mentioned
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