ANN ARBOR -- Jake Butt wants to finish what he started at Michigan.

In the classroom and on the field.

Butt, Michigan's junior tight end announced Tuesday afternoon that he plans on returning to the Wolverines in 2016 for his senior season instead of declaring early for the NFL Draft.

The 6-foot-6, 248-pounder told reporters Monday he was "50-50" on whether he should stay in school for his senior year or go pro early. He explained how he'd already had extensive conversations with his family, and wanted to sit down for a longer talk with coach Jim Harbaugh before making up his mind.

Apparently, Harbaugh's talk convinced him to stay.

Butt has made 48 catches for 620 yards and 3 touchdowns this season. He was the Big Ten tight end of the year and a first-team All-Big Ten performer.

On Monday, he said he'd absolutely return to school if he wasn't sure he'd be drafted in the first three rounds of next spring's draft. He explained how plenty of information he had already gathered indicated that he had a shot at landing in the first three rounds, but again, he wasn't sure.

"lf I wasn't in the top three rounds, I'd be coming back no question, it would have to be a top three deal for me to even consider it," Butt said. "And what I've been kind of hearing a little bit is that I'd be in the top three rounds, which is why I'm considering it.

"But it'll go back to seeing what coach Harbaugh says. I trust him so much and I value his opinion."

In his "reasons for returning" column was the chance to play in Harbaugh's offense for another season. Harbaugh has featured the tight end position heavily throughout his coaching career, and in 2015, Butt's 620 yards rank third all-time by a Michigan tight end in a single season.

Jim Mandich had 662 yards in 1969 and Devin Funchess recorded 748 yards in 2013. Funchess, though, played most of the second half of the season at wide receiver.

If Butt makes six catches in Michigan's bowl game, he'll break Bennie Joppru's single-season tight end receptions record of 53.

Butt and Michigan will play Florida in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1 (1 p.m., ABC).

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