01/09/2013 - University of Michigan football senior/junior offensive tackle Taylor Lewan (Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral) announced today (Wednesday, Jan. 9) he will return for a fifth season at U-M. Lewan told his teammates at a team meeting today at Schembechler Hall and met with the media afterward at the Junge Family Champions Center.
Lewan was a 2012 All-America first team choice by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, Associated Press, ESPN.com and SI.com. He also was named the Big Ten Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year and was an All-Big Ten first team choice by the league's coaches and media. A three-year starter, Lewan has opened 35 career games at left tackle, including 28 consecutive. "I am excited to return for my senior season," said Lewan. "I always said I would evaluate things and make the best decision for me, and that's exactly what I did. "I came here four years ago as a kid from Arizona and had goals but mostly individual goals. I wanted to play my freshman year. I wanted to be an All-American left tackle. I wanted the opportunity to get to the NFL. I've done those things.
"But in these four years, I have realized it's so much more. There aren't words to describe what this great university, the program and its people mean to me. This is a special place, the legacies, the expectations, the responsibility of wearing the No. 77 jersey, the fans, the great coaches and teammates. It's an honor to be a part of this tradition and family, to wear that winged helmet and to play in the greatest stadium in the world, and I'm not ready for that to end. "I want to graduate. I want to improve to be an elite left tackle. I want to stand out there with my family on Senior Day. I want to get my 'M' ring. I want to lead some of these young offensive linemen. These are all things I would have been giving up if I left. - Michigan football
01/09/2013 - Michigan junior left tackle Taylor Lewan will hold a 6 p.m. news conference on campus Wednesday to announce his future plans, according to a news release issued by the school. The All-American has been weighing whether to return for his senior season with the Wolverines, or declare for the NFL Draft. He is rated as a top-15 prospect overall, and among the top-three tackles.
All signs have pointed toward Lewan declaring for the draft. He said after the Outback Bowl he had an idea of what he would do, but would wait to announce his decision publicly until he informed teammates. "I haven't addressed the team yet," Lewan said after the New Year's Day game. "I'll address the team, then we'll do whatever (sports information director) Justin Dickens, Coach (Brady) Hoke wants to do and how he wants to let that out to the public. "It's not fair to my team to tell y'all, then not tell them." - Kyle Meinke, Michigan Live
01/01/2013 - PLAYERS TO WATCH: OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan's best offensive lineman and the winner of the Big Ten's Rimington-Pace Award as the top offensive lineman in the conference, draws the extremely difficult assignment of trying to slow down South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney, a freak athlete and pass rushing machine. Clowney had 4.5 sacks in the season-ending win over Clemson, and set a school record with 13 sacks this season. Just how well the strength and technique of Lewan matches up against the speed and raw athleticism of Clowney will have a lot to say about how the Michigan quarterbacks fare in the bowl game. - The Sports Xchange
12/28/2012 - Michigan junior offensive tackle Taylor Lewan won't say he has made a decision on whether to declare for the NFL draft, or return for his senior season. But he does say he has a good idea of what he'll do, and that nothing - including Tuesday's Outback Bowl against South Carolina - will affect his decision one way or the other. So, basically then, he's made a decision and is just waiting until after the bowl to make it public? "In some ways, yes, but that's really not important," Lewan said Friday after a team luncheon at the Tampa Convention Center. "What's important is Jan. 1.
"I have an idea what I'm doing. I'm almost positive what I'm doing. But at the end of the day, this bowl game doesn't have to do with what I'm going through...I'm playing football on Tuesday, Jan. 1, and I'll make my decision, and I'll talk to the coaches about it, and then we'll obviously go from there and what they want to do to get it out. Is there something that could change his mind? "No," Lewan said. "No."
Lewan said he has consulted coaches and former Michigan linemen in the NFL about the decision, but some of the most notable advice has come from Greg Harden, Michigan's director of athletic counseling. "One of his biggest things with me is I have to learn to be more independent in my decisions that I make," Lewan said. "It's all on me. At the end of the day, it's my life and it's what I have to do. "And, sometimes, what's best for you isn't always going to make people happy, whether I stay or go." - Kyle Meinke, Michigan Live
12/16/2012 - 2012 WALTER CAMP ALL-AMERICA FIRST TEAM: OL Taylor Lewan, Michigan, 6-8 309 Jr., Scottsdale, AZ...The Big Ten Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year and an All-Big Ten first team choice by the league's coaches and media, Lewan has made 27 consecutive starts at left tackle. He was part of an offensive line that surrendered a league-low 15 sacks during the 2012 regular season and helped the Wolverines average 385 yards of offense per game. - Michigan football
12/16/2012 - 2012 AP ALL-AMERICAN FIRST TEAM: OT - Taylor Lewan, junior, 6-8, 309, Michigan...The Big Ten Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year and an All-Big Ten first team choice by the league's coaches and media, Lewan has made 27 consecutive starts at left tackle. He was part of an offensive line that surrendered a league-low 15 sacks during the 2012 regular season and helped the Wolverines average 385 yards of offense per game. - Michigan football
12/04/2012 - 2012 ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAM (MEDIA): OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan, has been selected First Team All-Big Ten (Media selection) for the 2012 college football season. Lewan has started 34 of the last 35 games at left tackle, including 27 in a row. In 2011, he was a second-team honoree by the coaches and earned honorable mention from the media.
Lewan and Patrick Omameh paved the way for the Michigan offense that ranked fifth in the Big Ten in both scoring (30.0 points per game) and rushing (187.3 yards per game). The U-M front allowed 15 sacks, which led the conference and ranked tied for 24th nationally for fewest allowed. - Michigan football
12/04/2012 - 2012 ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAM (COACHES): OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan, has been selected First Team All-Big Ten (Coaches selection) for the 2012 college football season. Lewan has started 34 of the last 35 games at left tackle, including 27 in a row. In 2011, he was a second-team honoree by the coaches and earned honorable mention from the media.
Lewan and Patrick Omameh paved the way for the Michigan offense that ranked fifth in the Big Ten in both scoring (30.0 points per game) and rushing (187.3 yards per game). The U-M front allowed 15 sacks, which led the conference and ranked tied for 24th nationally for fewest allowed. - Michigan football
11/29/2012 - BIG TEN: NFL DRAFT PROSPECT WATCH - WEEK 13: Keep an eye on: LT Taylor Lewan, 6-8, 309 pounds, Michigan: Why you should watch him: He's the most physically gifted offensive lineman in the Big Ten and has been a pillar of the Wolverines' rushing attack all season. Although the pocket collapsed a number of times in the loss to Ohio State, he was going up against Hankins and likely future NFL player DE John Simon. He earned first-team all-Big Ten from both the coaches and the media.
Season stats: Michigan starting QBs have been sacked just 12 times this year, the fewest of any team in the conference. Player ranking: Lewan is ranked as the 11th-best prospect and the second-best OL in the draft, according to CBSSports.com's player rankings. Up next: At 8-4, the Wolverines missed their chance at playing in a BCS game when they lost to Ohio State. Michigan is projected to play in the Capital One Bowl against Georgia on Jan. 1, according to CBSSports.com. - Mike Singer, CBSSports.com
11/27/2012 - Taylor Lewan anchored the critical left tackle position for Michigan this season, the lone bright spot for a unit that endured significant struggles. The junior was so good, in fact, that he's being projected as a consensus top-15 draft prospect and is among the top-10 players according to many analysts. The question, then, is will he make the jump?
Coach Brady Hoke said Monday he expects Lewan to submit for the NFL Draft advisory board, which provides underclassmen with information about their pro stock. The process is non-binding, which means Lewan can return to school if he wishes. "We'll talk about it this week," Hoke said. "We've done our due diligence, sent all the information in that we need to." "I'm going to gear the young man toward what's best for him." Hoke said he doesn't expect any other players to file with the board this year. - Kyle Meinke, Michigan Live
11/27/2012 - 2012 BIG TEN RIMINGTON-PACE OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR: Taylor Lewan, Michigan...Lewan headlined the Wolverines' six All-Big Ten honorees, earning first-team recognition from both the coaches and media. Lewan has started 34 of the last 35 games at left tackle, including 27 in a row. In 2011, he was a second-team honoree by the coaches and earned honorable mention from the media. Lewan paved the way for the Michigan offense that ranked fifth in the Big Ten in both scoring (30.0 points per game) and rushing (187.3 yards per game). The U-M front allowed 15 sacks, which led the conference and ranked tied for 24th nationally for fewest allowed. - Michigan football
11/07/2012 - BIG TEN: NFL DRAFT PROSPECT WATCH - WEEK 10: Keep an eye on: LT Taylor Lewan, 6-8, 309, Michigan: Why you should watch him: Lewan began the season a little a bit unsteady having to take on Alabama's defensive line followed by Notre Dame's three weeks later but has since settled into a comfortable role at left tackle. Last Saturday, with Denard Robinson out, the Wolverines played converted WR Devin Gardner at QB in a more pro-style set, highlighting Lewan's talents. It was a seamless switch that saw both the passing game under Gardner and the rushing game (155 yards) thrive with Lewan as the anchor against the Gophers' imposing defensive line. Season stats: Michigan starting QBs have been sacked just seven times this season. Player ranking: Lewan is the 11th-rated player in this year's draft class and the second-best tackle, according to CBSSports.com's player rankings. Up next: The Wolverines host Northwestern on Saturday. The Wildcats are sixth in the Big Ten with 19 sacks on the season. - Mike Singer, CBSSports.com
10/23/2012 - Week 8 Rewind: Having only played on the offensive line since his senior season of high school, Lewan demonstrated the improvement in pass protection scouts are hoping to see from him to warrant the frequent comparisons he's gained to former Wolverine star Jake Long. Lewan has specifically improved in his patience as a pass blocker, recognizing spin movies and sliding laterally rather than lunging. As he has throughout much of his career, Lewan was also consistently able to knock defenders off the ball in the running game. Despite his height, the 6-7, 310 pound Lewan played with good pad level, winning the battle of leverage against Gholston and other MSU defenders. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
10/23/2012 - Week 8 Rewind: As impressive as the play of Joeckel and Matthews was against LSU's speed, Michigan's Taylor Lewan matched the physical challenge presented by hated in-state rival Michigan State and their 6-6, 278 pound defensive end William Gholston. Like most rivalry games, there is a lot pride and just a little bit of resentment involved in this game. For Lewan and Gholston, however, this game may have been even more personal than for the other Wolverines and Spartans as this is the first matchup from the two since the MSU defender twice drew penalties for taking cheap shots at Lewan a year ago. Just as Lewan did in 2011, the Michigan left tackle controlled Gholston, demonstrating enough lateral agility and balance in his kick-slide to maintain the edge and the great length and strength to lock up his opponent. Gholston lacks the explosive burst to give Lewan a stiff challenge in pass protection but the Spartans also sent smaller, quicker pass rushers against Lewan, including linebackers on the blitz. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
10/02/2012 - BIG TEN: NFL DRAFT PROSPECT WATCH - WEEK 5: Keep an eye on: LT Taylor Lewan, 6-7, 310, Michigan: Why you should watch him: Because he's integral to whatever offensive success Michigan has. He blocks Denard Robinson's blindside, creates huge holes for Fitz Toussaint, and buys time for Robinson in the pocket. Lewan won't be going directly against Short but he'll still have to deal with the Boilermakers' other outstanding rusher, Ryan Russell. Season stats: N/A. Player ranking: Lewan is listed as the 18th-best player overall and the second-best offensive linemen, according to CBSSports.com's player rankings. Next up: The Wolverines travel to West Lafayette to take on the upstart Boilermakers. Coming off a bye week, the Wolverines will be rested but a win for Purdue could kick start their conference schedule. - Mike Singer, CBSSports.com
09/22/2012 - OT Taylor Lewan recovered a fumble near the end zone last weekend against UMass and flopped in for a touchdown, thus becoming the first Michigan offensive lineman to score a touchdown since the 1948 season when center Bob Erben was credited with a touchdown. - The Sports Xchange
09/17/2012 - Michigan tackle Taylor Lewan hopes the team's offensive line stops playing nice. Lewan said that technique can only take linemen so far. "You have to play angry, a little nasty," he said Monday. "I think our offensive line needs to do that a little bit more." The 18th-ranked Wolverines were pushed around up front in a blowout loss to defending champion Alabama. Their offensive line was outplayed by Air Force's quicker team in a narrow win and seemed to be just OK in a rout over lowly Massachusetts. Michigan probably won't face a defensive front seven as talented it did against the Crimson Tide. No. 11 Notre Dame, though, might come close Saturday night with its stout defensive line and swarming linebackers. Michigan coach Brady Hoke insisted he's looking forward to seeing how his much-maligned line fares against the likes of 6-foot-3, 326-pound nose guard Louis Nix and star linebacker Manti Te'o. "To see how far we've come from Game 1 to Game 4 is exciting," Hoke said. "There's no question that it's going to be a test. "They have been very productive as a football team and as a defensive team. We'll have to block at the line of scrimmage and need to do a great job of protection." The Wolverines have been pretty good in pass protection, giving up just two sacks in three games. - AP Sports
09/11/2012 - OT Taylor Lewan, who had to be helped off the field late in the Alabama game with an apparent leg injury, started against Air Force. - The Sports Xchange
09/07/2012 - STILL NEEDS WORK: One of the many glaring issues for the Wolverines after the humiliating loss to Alabama -- and there were numerous issues -- was the play of junior OT Taylor Lewan, a returning all-Big Ten pick. Michigan's early struggles were exacerbated by a pair of penalties on Lewan, who is widely regarded as one of the top linemen in the conference. He took a 15-yarder for a face mask to kill one drive, and later a holding penalty that doomed another. - The Sports Xchange
09/03/2012 - The Michigan football team lost one starter for the season against Alabama on Saturday. But fortunately for the Wolverines, there weren't any other massive setbacks. Michigan coach Brady Hoke told reporters Monday that starting left tackle Taylor Lewan is good to go this week against Air Force after injuring his leg against the Crimson Tide. "Lewan is fine," said Hoke, who will already be without without starting cornerback Blake Countess the rest of the season. "I think it was more of a bruise." The 6-foot-8, 309-pound Lewan, who is widely considered Michigan's best offensive lineman, went down late in the fourth quarter with an apparent leg injury, and had to be helped off the field. After the game, Lewan was noticeably favoring his right leg as he was helped by staff members into the Wolverine locker room. He has made 16 straight starts for Michigan. The injury wasn't Lewan's only concern Saturday, as he was flagged for three penalties. Asked how he thought Lewan played against Alabama, Hoke said he wasn't worried. "I thought he (really) had probably one penalty (that should have been called)," Hoke said. "I thought he played well. I thought he played with a lot of heart and toughness. "Things you like players to play with." - Nick Baumgardner, Michigan Live
08/30/2012 - Rob Rang's 08/30/12 Top 32 NFL Draft Big Board: 25. - The Sports XchangeTaylor Lewan, OT, Michigan: Arguably the most physically imposing player in the country, the 6-7, 302-pound Lewan looks like the second coming of Jake Long wearing No. 77 in the Michigan maize and blue. Lewan, who only made the switch to offensive line as a senior in high school, is certainly behind the No. 1 overall pick of the 2008 draft in terms of development but the size, athleticism and mentality are in place to resume the Wolverines' tradition of churning out quality NFL offensive linemen. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
08/03/2012 - Top-five Michigan prospects for the 2013 NFL Draft: 1. OT Tyler Lewan...This year's group of senior offensive tackles is okay, but it's the underclassmen who will determine if the 2013 class of tackles is great. And one of those underclassmen with first round potential is Lewan who is entering his third year as the starting left tackle for the Wolverines. Despite not playing offensive tackle until his senior year in high school, Lewan was a four-star offensive line recruit out of Arizona and chose Michigan over Oregon, Minnesota and Arizona. After spending the first few games of his redshirt freshman season as a reserve, he came off the bench and started nine games at left tackle in 2009. Lewan started all 13 games at left tackle last season and earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors as a sophomore. With good height and length, he looks the part and has the frame to play on the left side at the next level, adding nearly 50 pounds since his senior year in high school. A former defensive lineman, Lewan is known as a self starter with a mean streak and nasty attitude on the field, but is also expected to become more of a leader as a junior in 2012. He keeps his head on a swivel and has the competitive drive to win one-on-one battles, but needs to stay focused to cut down on penalties and use proper footwork and technique, not simply relying on his natural ability. While not considered to be on the same level as former Wolverine Jake Long, who went No. 1 overall in 2008, Lewan has top-32 potential and will be a early-round prospect to watch in 2012. - Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout.com
07/20/2012 - 2012 ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD PRESEASON WATCH LIST: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan, has been selected to the Preseason Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List for the 2012 college football season, presented the nation's top college lineman or linebacker each year by The Rotary Club of Houston. Lewan has started 22 career games at left tackle, including all 13 in 2011. He earned All-Big Ten second team honors by the conference's coaches last season. He also was named to Phil Steele's 2012 preseason All-Big Ten first team and All-America third team. Lewan was part of a Wolverines offensive line in 2011 that allowed just 18 sacks, third-best in the Big Ten. The line also helped the Wolverines rush for 221.8 yards per game, second in the Big Ten and 13th in the nation, and produce two 1,000-yard rushers (Denard Robinson, 1,176; Fitzgerald Toussaint, 1,041). - Michigan football
07/18/2012 - 2012 OUTLAND TROPHY PRESEASON WATCH LIST: Taylor Lewan, Michigan, OT, has been selected to the Preseason Outland Trophy Watch List for the 2012 college football season, which goes to the best interior lineman in college football, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America. Lewan has started 22 career games at left tackle, including all 13 in 2011. He earned All-Big Ten second team honors by the conference's coaches last season. He also was named to Phil Steele's 2012 preseason All-Big Ten first team and All-America third team. Lewan was part of a Wolverines offensive line in 2011 that allowed just 18 sacks, third best in the Big Ten. The line also helped the Wolverines rush for 221.8 yards per game, second in the Big Ten and 13th in the nation, and produce two 1,000-yard rushers (Denard Robinson, 1,176; Fitzgerald Toussaint, 1,041). - Michigan football
