TheWolverine.com - Stunner: Taylor Lewan returning for fifth year

January 9, 2013

Chris Balas
TheWolverine.com Senior Editor

There was no doubt in his mind, Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan said - he needed to return to be part of Team 134. Lewan turned down likely first round NFL draft money to return to U-M for his fifth year.

"Our goal is a Big Ten championship," Lewan said.

Lewan talked to several former players, including a former All-American tackle and first round pick who made the same decision - and wore the same number.

"I talked to Jake Long, everything he said about staying at U-M went through my head countless times. We had the same mindset," he said.

Head coach Brady Hoke was thrilled about the decision.

"We're excited as a program a team to have Taylor's leadership - to have him finish his career at Michigan," head coach Brady Hoke said, adding he wasn't surprised at the decision.

"This team is important to him. He did all the right things, going through the evaluation process, consulted with folks in his life important to him - I just think he loves his teammates. There was a closeness there.

"When he told the team, we had a team meeting and he asked if he could talk to his teammates and their recation he got about staying tells you there were a lot of guys in that room who had a lot of respect for him."

Watch for more on Lewan's decision in the hours to come ...

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