Jake Long, the St. Louis Rams' newest left tackle, is still heavily invested in the program that launched his NFL career - and No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Because he still loves Michigan football, he made himself available to the Wolverines' current left tackle, Taylor Lewan, who decided to come back to school for his fifth-year senior season instead of heading to the 2013 NFL Draft.

At Sunday's Hutchinson/Griese/Woosdon Champions For Childrens Hearts Golf Tournament, Long spoke about Lewan's decision and the advice he gave the younger tackle.

"No, not really," Long said, when asked if he was surprised by Lewan's decision to stay. "He is a Michigan Man. He loves this school. He's a good leader, and he wants to be great. It didn't surprise me when he came back."

The two players "talked a bunch" after the 2012 season ended with a 33-28 loss to South Carolina in the Outback Bowl.

"A lot of it was him asking me why I came back, my motivation and whether I made the right decision. I told me why I did and my motivation behind it," Long said. "I told him I wanted to graduate, I wanted to be at Michigan one more year. I wanted to finish with Coach Carr, and I wanted to finish with the guys I came in with. It's such an honor to play here, I didn't want to end it short."

Of course, the decision for Lewan - or any other underclassman who may have a chance to get drafted - is a complicated one.

There are millions of dollars at stake, and injuries to worry about. Coming back to college worked out perfectly for Long. On the flip side, USC quarterback Matt Barkley's draft stock was almost surely hurt by his subpar senior performance.

So Long wanted to make one thing clear: it was Lewan's decision, and his alone.

"That is why I told him, 'You have to decide what is right for him. You have to talk to your parents, family. Whatever you do, you have to go into it 100 percent and commit, either staying or going,'" Long said. "I think he made a good decision.

"He's happy now. He gets to come back, graduate and play one more year. It will only benefit him. He was so dominant and good this year, and with one more year, he's only going to get better. It will help him at the next level. He is going to have a great year, and it will help him.

"You always have room to grow. He's still young, and he will only get better from here. He's a really good lineman."

The Champions For Children's Hearts event also gave Long a chance to catch up with former Michigan offensive linemen Steve Hutchinson and Jeff Backus, who are each retiring after 12 years in the league.

"If I can last 12 years like them, that's a hell of a career," Long said. "Watching those two play, it's crazy how long they lasted, and had great careers. That is my goal, 10-12 years and go from there."

Long is entering a new phase of his career.

After five years with the Miami Dolphins, who picked him with the No. 1 overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft, Long will start for the St. Louis Rams in 2013.

"It was weird," he said. "I thought I was going to be in Miami for my whole career. Things happen. It's a business, and in the end I had to sit down and think what was right for my family and myself. Moving on and starting the next chapter of my career felt right."

When Long was looking for a new football home, he felt an instant connection with Rams coach Jeff Fisher.

"He is an amazing coach," Long said. "The team is young and on the upswing. I think we're going to be a really good team. I wanted to be a part of something good. I fell in love with Coach Fisher, his coaching style and this team. In the end, it was tough but I'm excited about it."