| D' Anton Lynn |
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The Nittany Lions plucked a promising young student-athlete from Texas in cornerback D'Anton Lynn. The coaching staff held the true freshman out of the initial three games of last season with an eye on a possible redshirt. But, in week four, he got the call against Temple, returning a punt, and played in nine of the last 10 contests on defense and special teams. Lynn was one of four true freshmen to play in 2008. He is a swift and versatile athlete who emerged as the top reserve to Tony Davis at one of the cornerback spots. An Associated Press Class 3A first-team all-state selection at Celina HS, he should have an opportunity to compete for a starting assignment at corner and play a bigger role on special teams this year. Lynn's father, Anthony, was a running back at Texas Tech, earned two Super Bowl rings with the Denver Broncos and is the running backs coach for the New York Jets. Lynn joins freshman kicker Anthony Fera as returning Nittany Lions from the Lone Star State.
2008 Freshman Season
Lynn made his collegiate debut against Temple, returning a punt, and played in nine of the last 10 contests on defense and special teams. He was one of four true freshmen to see action during the Big Ten Championship season. He emerged as the top reserve to Tony Davis at one of the cornerback spots. Lynn made three tackles during the season, with two pass breakups and a punt return for 10 yards against Temple. He made two hits in the 48-7 win at Wisconsin and one stop against the Owls. Lynn was on the field for 92 snaps, led by 20 against Temple.
High School
Lynn was a standout at a variety of positions for Coach Butch Ford at Celina HS. He played defensive back, linebacker, quarterback, running back and wide receiver for the Bobcats. Lynn was instrumental in Celina winning the 2007 Texas Class 3A Division 2 state championship with a 16-0 record. The Bobcats also were the 2006 state runners-up, with a 15-1 record. He earned Associated Press Class 3A first-team all-state accolades as a senior and was Scout.com's No. 17 defensive back in the nation. A team captain, Lynn recorded 60 tackles (37 solo) and grabbed five interceptions in 2007, returning two for touchdowns. As a junior, Lynn missed most of the season with an injury, but gained 337 rushing yards, recorded 57 tackles, forced two fumbles and recovered a pair of fumbles. He was named first-team all-area in 2006. Lynn also was a captain on the track and field squad.
Personal
Anthony Raymond Lynn II is the son of Anthony and Cynda Lynn. He has one younger sister, Danielle. His father is the running backs coach for the New York Jets and played at Texas Tech, earning All-Southwest Conference honors at running back as a junior. He played for the NFL's Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers from 1993-99, winning two Super Bowl rings with the Broncos. In his free time, D'Anton enjoys playing video games. He is enrolled in the College of the Liberal Arts and would like to be a football coach. Born October 24, 1989 in Plano, Texas.
