The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/152358
for my last season. I'm excited for it." He wasn't sure how he'd react, though, when he watched the draft and saw who went where, where he might have gone. It surprised him when he didn't have even a twinge of regret, even when three of the top four selections were tackles (Central Michigan's Eric Fisher No. 1, Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel No. 2 and Oklahoma's Lane Johnson No. 4). Lewan had been listed right with them among the best linemen available in the 2013 draft. "There was all the talk about where I'd go, here, there, what my 40 would have been, all that stuff," Lewan said. "My biggest thing was I'm excited for the guys who came out. That's their opportunity, their choice. There's not one right or wrong answer when you do those things. "I wish the best for all those guys. My time right now is at the University of Michigan, and I'm so excited for the opportunity." Plenty To Prove His coaches and teammates, of course, are just as thrilled to have him back, though head coach Brady Hoke insisted he knew all along his All-American wouldn't be able to leave. The shock was up there with running back Tyrone Wheatley's decision to come back for his final year in 1994, one that didn't go so well when Wheatley injured his shoulder in camp and missed two games (though he still became a first-round pick). Several others have had their opportunities but chosen to stay since, including most on the offensive line. Guard Steve Hutchinson would have been a first-round pick had he chosen to leave after the 1999 season. Tackle Jon Jansen returned in 1998 to lead the Wolverines after captaining them to the 1997 national title and later enjoyed a long career with the Washington Redskins. It worked out well for each and every one of them because they returned for the right reasons, Lewan said. Offensive line coach Darrell Funk said it was the same for his standout. "It was huge to have him come back," Funk said. "Everyone he leaned on, both in this program, his family, other mentors and people — I thought he did a great job of listening. I don't think anyone told him what to do. I know I certainly didn't and neither did Brady. But he did a good job when people told him, 'Here are the pros and cons.' He made the decision for the right reasons, I believe." It speaks volumes for the program, too, Hoke said in talking about the leadership on the line. Being on board and there to help redshirt junior Devin Gardner is Lewan's only focus. "I've never been the kind of guy to look ahead to anything," he said. "I've always been a right here, right now kind of guy. Every minute, every game it's do your job, win a Big Ten championship." The quest starts in early October. The NFL time will come, he said, but it would be that much sweeter to leave with a championship ring like so many who stayed before him. ❑