In a bit of surprise, Michigan junior tackle Taylor Lewan announced at a pres conference this evening that he would be foregoing the possibility to enter the 2013 NFL Draft and instead returning to Michigan for his senior year. Lewan's decision didn't make sense from a lot of factors, most notably a season which saw him hobbled by injuries against both Alabama and Ohio State (easily the two best teams Lewan's Wolverines faced all season). Lewan is also coming off arguably his best performance of the year against South Carolina's beast of a man, Jadeveon Clowney, who's widely believed to be the best defensive prospect of any experience level in the country

From SB Nation's Mocking the Draft entering last season:

Everyone knows No. 1 at Michigan is sacred. But for offensive linemen, the lore of No. 77 is growing. Currently worn by junior Taylor Lewan, No. 77 has previously been adorned by all-time great left tackles Jake Long and Jon Jansen. With his size and quickness, Lewan is beginning to live up to his jersey number. He was a second-team all-conference player as a junior and seemed to get better as the season rolled along.

Long was said to have played a role in Lewan's decision to return for his senior year

Of course, from an Ohio State vantage, there was the matter of the senior-to-be having, well, his fair share of difficulties with the likes of then freshman Adolphus Washington. While I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Washington will only be a season older and a summer under Ohio State strength and conditioning coach Mick Marotti better. And that could mean much more of this:

Godspeed, Taylor Lewan. You may need it.