Penn State Nittany Lions

Another Penn State player announces plans to transfer

Published Jan. 13, 2016 5:15 p.m. ET

Marcus Hartman

Penn State running back Akeel Lynch announced Wednesday he plans to play somewhere else in 2016.

The fourth-year junior wrote in a message posted to Twitter, "It's been a tough decision for my family and I, but I have decided after I graduate this spring from Penn State, I will play my fifth year of eligibility elsewhere."

Thank you, Penn State. pic.twitter.com/RfaCeLak0W
— Akeel J. Lynch (@ALynch_22) January 13, 2016

Lynch added he has been honored to wear the blue and white and values his PSU education.

He also thanked current PSU coach James Franklin and predecessors Bill O'Brien and Joe Paterno along with various members of the football, academic and training staffs.

Lynch started five games and ran for 298 yards and two touchdowns in 2015.

He was passed on the depth chart by true freshman Saquon Barkley, who broke the school's freshman rushing record with 1,076 yards.

Lynch's transfer is the fifth to become public this week.

Receiver Geno Lewis announced he will be a graduate transfer at Oklahoma next season while linebackers Troy Reeder and Gary Wooten Jr. and defensive back Daquan Worley also reportedly plan to transfer.

Penn State also lost two assistant coaches to other schools.