Taylor Lewan : All posts

CBS says Taylor Lewan, not Denard Robinson, is Michigan's most important player

CBS believes that Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan, not quarterback Denard Robinson, is the team's most important player in 2012.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

CBSsports.com, however, sees the discussion in a different light.

During its Michigan preseason breakdown, CBS labeled junior left tackle Taylor Lewan -- not Robinson -- as the Wolverines' most important player in 2012.

"Every great offense has to have an anchor, and the 6-foot-8, 302 pound Lewan serves that role for the Wolverines," the site wrote. "Lewan is expected to dominate the opposition in the same manner as current NFL-er Jake Long did in his days in Ann Arbor.

"For Michigan QB Denard Robinson to be the explosive weapon he can be, Robinson needs Lewan to be one of the best in the Big Ten up front."

Michigan's Taylor Lewan respects William Gholston's talent, won't focus on 2011 punch

Michigan football offensive tackle Taylor Lewan brushed off repeated questions about Michigan State defensive end William Gholston last week in Chicago.

AnnArbor.com file photo

He tried, repeatedly. But it never seemed to work.

Reporter: "Talk about William Gholston."

Lewan (playfully): "What do you want to know about him?"

CBSsports.com puts Denard Robinson and Taylor Lewan on All-Big Ten team, second team All-America squad

Michigan football quarterback Denard Robinson was joined by offensive tackle Taylor Lewan on CBSsports.com's first team all-Big Ten list, and second team all-America squad.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

On Monday, the Michigan football quarterback and offensive tackle received more preseason attention, this time from CBSsports.com.

CBS placed both Robinson and Lewan on its first team "All-Big Ten" squad, and had a spot for both on its second team "All-America" list.

Michigan OL Taylor Lewan already getting calls from NFL types, but isn't picking up

As Taylor Lewan's profile grows, so does his NFL projections. The Michigan left tackle, who is entering his junior season, already is projected as a first-round pick for next year's draft.

Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com

Apparently, word is getting around.

ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. already projects Lewan as a top-15 pick in next year's draft, should the junior elect to forgo his senior season. Now, it appears he already has voices in his ear telling him he should do just that.

Lewan said Friday at the Big Ten media days in Chicago that he and his father began receiving calls from NFL types this summer.

"There's people trying to contact me all the time, but there's no sense in looking at that right now because if I don't do anything my junior and senior year, then what's the point?" Lewan said.

"It's a good problem to have, but like I said before, my focus is leading Team 133."

Michigan football's Denard Robinson, Taylor Lewan make Big Ten's Players to Watch list

Michigan football offensive tackle Taylor Lewan and quarterback Denard Robinson were named to the Big Ten's preseason "Players to Watch" list Thursday.

AnnArbor.com file photo

But Michigan football quarterback Denard Robinson and offensive tackle Taylor Lewan made the next best thing Thursday.

Robinson and Lewan were among 10 Big Ten players named to the now annual preseason "Players to Watch" list at the league's two-day media days event in Chicago.

Michigan football stars Taylor Lewan, Jordan Kovacs land on preseason award watch lists

Another day, another Michigan football player on a national award watch list.

Actually, this time, it's two.

Junior left tackle Taylor Lewan has landed on the watch list for the Outland Trophy, which is awarded to the nation's best tackle, guard or center, and senior safety Jordan Kovacs made the list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is presented to the nation's best defender.

The only Michigan player to win either award is Charles Woodson, who was awarded the Bronko Nagurski Trophy during his Heisman Trophy season in 1997.

ESPN: Taylor Lewan is No. 12 pro prospect, No. 2 tackle in next year's draft class

The Michigan football team has had only one player selected in the first round of the NFL Draft in the past four years, its worst rut since 1987-90.

It's possible that drought could end next year -- although that's probably bad news for the Wolverines, since it would require their star left tackle, Taylor Lewan, to leave school a year early.

But it could happen, according to ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr.

Analyst says Michigan's Taylor Lewan will be elite NFL prospect in 2013, Denard Robinson won't be a QB

The Michigan football program has had one first-round NFL draft pick since 2008.

But it has the potential to add another in 2013.

ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said Monday that he projects Michigan junior left tackle Taylor Lewan as an elite prospect in next year's NFL draft.

"They've been raving about him for a couple years down there, every time I talk to Michigan," Kiper said of Lewan. "6-foot-7, 305, 310 pounds. You think about what (former Michigan tackle) Jake Long did coming out of that program, could (Lewan) be the next Jake Long?

"Maybe."

Taylor Lewan: The Michigan football team's most serious funny guy

Michigan junior offensive lineman Taylor Lewan speaks to reporters during a press conference at Schembechler Hall on Tuesday.

Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com

If you see a 6-foot-8, 308-pound man riding a tandem bike around Ann Arbor, don't be alarmed. It's just your friendly neighborhood offensive tackle.

Taylor Lewan bought the two-seated bicycle a couple weeks ago from Midwest Bike & Tandem. The junior likes to ride it with receiver Drew Dileo, who, at 172 pounds, is roughly half Lewan's size.

"I carpool," Lewan says with a smile.

Senior defensive end Craig Roh, who has known Lewan since they attended Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, Ariz., together, also has taken a spin on the new wheels.

"It was a magical experience," Roh said, tongue firmly in cheek. "It's his bike, so he takes the front. Taylor’s back is the most amazing thing to look at."

So, this is the Michigan football team's newly toned-down star left tackle? The one who stands before the assembled media for the first time all spring and professes how, in his third year as a starter, he has become more serious than ever?

Well, yes, it is.

Michigan center David Molk named Big Ten's offensive lineman of year; 3 other Wolverines earn awards

Fifth-year Michigan senior center David Molk (50) was named the Big Ten offensive lineman of the year on Monday night. Tackle Taylor Lewan (77) was a second-team selection by the coaches and honorable mention by the media.

AnnArbor.com file photo

There was a time when David Molk was considered injury prone.

He suffered a foot injury that cost him four games in 2009, then a severe knee injury that knocked him out for the rest of that season. He became frustrated, later acknowledging he harbored some doubt over whether he ever would return to form.

Twenty-four consecutive starts and a trail of flattened defensive linemen later, the Michigan football team's fifth-year senior center was named the Big Ten's Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year on Monday night.

Michigan's Taylor Lewan learns to play through injury by shutting up, growing up

Taylor Lewan on injuries: "I'm all beat up everywhere — but at the same time, so is everybody else."

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Taylor Lewan was wearing a walking boot. He had a cast on his right wrist. His elbow was bothering him.

And he was complaining.

The Michigan football team's star left tackle has been lauded by teammates for playing through a growing number of injuries, especially considering the tenuous depth up front if he goes down.

But his pain reached a climax during the off week following the physical — and in his case, violent — Michigan State loss. He couldn't practice, but was riding a bike during workouts. And running his mouth.

That's when senior center David Molk told the gregarious Lewan to shut up.

Lewan said that was the best injury advice he's ever received.

Video: Blake Countess meets the Michigan football media, plus video of Taylor Lewan, Al Borges and Greg Mattison

Michigan freshman cornerback Blake Countess has made two starts, 33 tackles and is tied for the team-lead with five pass breakups in eight games played this season.

There's been a lot of firsts for Countess this season. On Tuesday, he added another when he met with the media for the first time in his Michigan football career.

Notebook: Michigan loses the turnover battle, in turn, loses the game Saturday against Iowa

Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson fumbles in the first quarter. Iowa recovered the ball.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

For most of the season, the Michigan football team's defense has been able to overcome turnovers by the offense.

Against Notre Dame, the Wolverines coughed the ball up three times, but picked up five turnovers of their own. Against San Diego State, Michigan lost the ball four times, but took it back three.

The same was true against Northwestern, when the Wolverines threw three interceptions but forced the Wildcats into a fumble and a pick.

Michigan played with fire again Saturday against Iowa. But this time, it got burned in a 24-16 loss.

"Turnovers always hurt," Michigan coach Brady Hoke said. "The thing we missed today, though, is we didn't get any back."

Notebook: Denard Robinson says it's better to pass than receive; Michigan has "hope" for a healthy Kovacs and Lewan

Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson (16) says he's much more comfortable throwing the ball than he is about the prospect of catching one from Devin Gardner (7).

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Borges was adamant Tuesday in his refusal to answer any questions regarding the possibility of Robinson catching a bubble screen at some point this season.

Robinson went one step further Wednesday, saying he's never caught a pass in a game and, frankly, doesn't know if he could.

Notebook: Is Michigan worthy of a top 10 ranking? Brady Hoke says no way

Michigan coach Brady Hoke watches from the sidelines during the first half against Northwestern on Saturday. What he saw, he insists, was not a top 10 team.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

This week, with Michigan coming in at No. 10 in the USA Today coaches poll, Hoke was a little more firm in his assessment of where his team belongs nationally through six games.

"We're not a top 10 team," Hoke said bluntly.

Fiery Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan harnessing emotions, reining in penalties

Michigan offensive lineman Taylor Lewan, above: "There's no better feeling than taking one guy from one place and pushing him somewhere else against his will."

AnnArbor.com file photo

His meeting with Taylor Lewan went longer than most. The topic?

Cut down on the penalties.

video: Michigan football linemen Ryan Van Bergen and Taylor Lewan discuss progress in fall camp

Michigan senior defensive end Ryan Van Bergen and sophomore offensive tackle Taylor Lewan go head-to-head every day in fall camp. "I know what Ryan’s going to do before he does it and vice versa," Lewan says.

They took a break after practice on Thursday to answer media questions. Here are some highlights:

Two Michigan football players named to all-Big Ten freshman team

Michigan left tackle Taylor Lewan and hybrid linebacker Cam Gordon were named to the all-Big Ten freshman team by Rivals.com on Wednesday.

Lewan, a redshirt freshman, started eight games at left tackle for the Wolverines, claiming the starting job four games into the season. Gordon started every game for the Wolverines and moved from safety to hybrid linebacker halfway through the season, registering 73 tackles and two interceptions.

notebook: Kicker likely to remain same for Michigan football team, Denard Robinson nears record and Wolverines injury report

Don't expect to see this in a game: Defensive tackle Ryan Van Bergen, who was a kicker in high school, practiced his form last week before Michigan played at Purdue.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

As he watched defensive tackle Ryan Van Bergen practice field goals during warm-ups before last week’s game against Purdue, one thought ran through Rich Rodriguez’s mind.

“I hope he doesn’t hurt his toe,” Michigan’s coach said Wednesday.

Translation: No, Rodriguez has never seriously considered augmenting his kicking rotation with Van Bergen, who kicked at Whitehall High School before concentrating on defense.

For now, Rodriguez said Wednesday that he’s still inclined to keep Seth Broekhuizen as the Wolverines’ starting kicker after watching him compete against Brendan Gibbons in practice this week.

That endorsement came with a caveat: Rodriguez will not make a final decision for Saturday’s game against Wisconsin (noon, ESPN) until pre-game warm-ups.

In the meantime, both kickers will alternate working with the first team during practice.

Broekhuizen missed a 42-yard field-goal attempt and an extra point against the Boilermakers. On the season, the two kickers have combined to make four of 12 attempts, including 0-for-4 beyond 40 yards.

Michigan left tackle Taylor Lewan received a simple message from No. 1 pick Jake Long

Comparisons already have been made between Michigan left tackle Taylor Lewan and another guy who used to hold the same position, former No. 1 NFL Draft pick Jake Long.

Both started as redshirt freshmen for the Wolverines at left tackle. Both wear No. 77. Both are imposing physical athletes - Lewan at 6-foot-6 and Long at 6-foot-8. But Lewan understands that any comparisons are premature.