Michigan OT Lewan passes on NFL

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan is putting millions of dollars on hold to chase a Big Ten championship.

The All-America first-team player and the league’s offensive lineman of the year is staying for his senior season, turning down a chance to be a high first-round pick in the NFL draft.

“People don’t really understand why I wouldn’t leave for the NFL,” Lewan said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press before making his announcement. “But when I came to the University of Michigan, I didn’t understand the tradition of this place, either. Now, I do. In the NFL, you just come and go. But here at Michigan, it’s not like that. I love these guys.”

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