[1][2][3] In his junior season, he primarily served as a blocker for Jordan Todman, who would later become an All-American at the University of Connecticut and an NFL running back.

He was recognized as the top recruit in Massachusetts, the second-best tight end prospect nationally, and ranked 121st overall in the country by Rivals.

[25][26] In the spring of 2008, he committed to playing for Jeff Jagodzinski and the Boston College Eagles,[27] which was not only his choice but also the alma mater of both his mother and sister.

[28] However, he later reopened his recruitment that summer,[29] and proceeded to visit various universities including Florida, Georgia, NC State, North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland.

[38][39] Lynch made his collegiate debut on September 5, 2009, in 24–10 loss to Oklahoma State at Boone Pickens Stadium.

[38] During his sophomore year, the coaching staff decided to redshirt Lynch, which allowed him to extend his eligibility and further develop his skills.

After the 2011 season, Orson Charles, the All-American tight end, decided to enter the NFL draft, creating an opportunity for Lynch to step into the starting.

[49] During the last drive of the 2012 SEC Championship Game against the #2 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, Lynch caught a 26-yard pass from his college roommate Aaron Murray and advanced the ball to the 8-yard line before being tackled by Vinnie Sunseri.

[68] In the following week, Georgia faced off against the #6 ranked South Carolina Gamecocks, a game that showcased the talents of future No.

[73] Both quarterbacks delivered impressive performances, culminating in a thrilling 44–41 victory for Georgia, as their defense halted a Mettenberger-led-fourth-quarter comeback.

[75] On Saturday, November 2, 2012, Lynch sustained an injury when tackled by Florida linebacker Antonio Morrison, resulting in a lacerated kidney and several bruised ribs.

In total, Lynch appeared and started in 12 games, recording 30 passes for 459 yards and leading all receivers with 5 touchdowns.

[79] Following the season, Lynch was named to the Associated Press, SEC Coaches, and Sporting News All-SEC 1st Team.

[81][82][83] Lynch was voted Offensive Team Captain by his teammates[84] and finished his career with 56 receptions for 907 yards and eight touchdowns.

[87] He received an invitation to the Reese's Senior Bowl,[88][89] a prestigious all-star game held annually in Mobile, Alabama, featuring the top NFL draft prospects who have finished their college eligibility.

[90][91] Lynch attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where he participated in various field drills, psychological evaluations, and medical tests.

He ranked Top-10 among tight ends in multiple categories, including the second-highest number of bench press repetitions of 225 lbs.

Greg Cosell, Senior Producer of NFL Films, compared him to the accomplished Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller.

[95][96][97] During the pre-draft process, Lynch extended his support for Michael Sam, a defensive end from the Missouri Tigers and fellow NFL draft prospect.

[104] Shortly after the draft, Lynch suffered a non-contact injury during the team's voluntary workout, which led to him being placed on injured reserve on August 26, 2014, due to a partial fracture of the L4/L5 Lumbar Spine.

Lynch was one of two rookies selected to participate in the NFL Business Management & Entrepreneurial Program (BM&E)[106] offered through the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

As a result, he was rushed to St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford, Massachusetts, where emergency surgery was performed to remove the infected tissue.

To address the lingering Strep Virus infection, a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line was attached through his armpit prior to his discharge.

He had previously been medically rejected from the US Army and US Marine Corps, and received letters of support from Senator Elizabeth Warren and Congressman Bill Keating.