Paxton Lynch, Deltona Trinity Christian grad, signs with XFL's Orlando Guardians

Paxton Lynch will continue his professional football career close to home.

Lynch, who graduated from Trinity Christian Academy in Deltona, signed a contract Monday with the XFL's Orlando Guardians. The 28-year-old, once a former first-round NFL draft pick, spent last season in the USFL with the Michigan Panthers.

A three-year starter at the University of Memphis, Lynch set the single-season program record for completion percentage (66.7%) during the 2015 season. He ranks third all-time in both completions (758) and passing yards (8,863), and fourth in total touchdowns (76) and passing touchdowns (59).

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The Denver Broncos traded up in the 2016 NFL Draft and selected Lynch with the 26th overall pick. He made just five appearances for the team, going 1-3 in four starts and throwing for 792 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions.

Lynch spent time with the Seattle Seahawks and the Pittsburgh Steelers but did not compete in a regular season game. He earned Offensive Player of the Week honors with the Michigan Panthers in their Week 10 finale after throwing for 275 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 19 yards in a win over the Pittsburgh Maulers.

The Guardians have two other quarterbacks on their active roster, Orlando native Deondre Francois (Hampton) and Quinton Dormady (Central Michigan). Super Bowl champion Terrell Buckley, who won the Jim Thorpe Award during his career at Florida State, is the Guardians' head coach and general manager.

The XFL season is scheduled to start on Feb. 18. Several teams feature athletes with ties to the Volusia-Flagler-St. Johns area, including three former Mainland High standouts.

Adrian Killins, a former FHSAA 200-meter track champion and UCF running back, was selected in the first round by the Houston Roughnecks. Defensive back Keylon Kennedy and offensive tackle Marcus Tatum were picked by the Vegas Vipers and the San Antonio Brahmas, respectively.

Willie Harvey Jr. — a former linebacker for the Cleveland Browns who attended Menendez — went off the board in the third round among front-seven defenders, chosen by the St. Louis BattleHawks.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Paxton Lynch signs XFL contract with Orlando Guardians