Taylor Lewan

Lewan is a mean-spirited, tenacious run blocker who is still learning about being a pass blocker. A defensive lineman until his senior year in high school, Lewan played 50 games at left tackle (48 as starter) for Michigan, but is just beginning to blossom. He admits he had too many drive-killing personal fouls and needs to clean up off-field act that led to arrest, but no charge, when a fan claimed to be assaulted outside an Ann Arbor restaurant last November. Good enough to step in at left tackle, but Lewan will learn that everybody is tough in the NFL and to be good he will need more technique. His biggest areas of needed improvement are in technique and instincts, as his reaction to opponent movement will appear unnatural and a bit mechanical at times, but with better technical coaching in an NFL environment, Lewan certainly possesses the raw tools that if combined with better technique and instincts, could lead him to long-term dominance at the tackle position.

jake long, st. louis rams - lewan looked like the second coming of long wearing no. 77 in the michigan maize and blue. lewan, who only made the switch to offensive line as a senior in high school, is certainly behind the no. 1 overall pick of the 2008 draft in terms of development, but the size, athleticism and mentality are in place to resume the wolverines' tradition of churning out quality nfl offensive linemen.

--Dane Brugler, Rob Rang & Derek Stephens

possesses quick feet. a former defensive lineman, lewan is known as a self-starter with a mean streak and nasty attitude on the field, but also emerged as more of a leader the past two seasons. keeps his head on a swivel and has the competitive drive to win one-on-one battles.

Demonstrates enough lateral agility and balance in his kick-slide to maintain the edge, while also possessing the strength to lock up his opponent. Strong initial step when asked to fire through to the second level and targets decisively in the open field.

strengths

With good height and length, he looks the part and has the frame to play on the left side at the next level, adding nearly 50 pounds since his senior year in high school.

inconsistent in terms of timing off the snap and will find himself stood up and easily pushed back at times as a result. collapses at the elbow, too often allowing his opponent into his chest, and will get too far out in front of his feet at the second level as a run blocker.

COMPARES TO

weaknesses

Needs to stay focused to cut down on penalties and use proper footwork and technique, not simply relying on his natural ability. Struggled with jab-steps and counters back inside when battling quick, crafty defenders and tends to drop his head upon contact.

Attended Chaparral High School (2009) coached by Charlie Ragle

transferred to Chaparral for his senior year after playing at Cave Creek Cactus Shadows in 2007

played offensive line for the first time as a senior

played defensive end prior to his senior year

helped lead team to Class 4A-I state championship game during senior year

ran 40-yard dash in 4.72 seconds

recorded a 335-pound maximum on bench press and 450-pound maximum squat

Key Statistics

started every game on the offensive line during his senior season

totaled 96 tackles and seven sacks in two seasons on the defensive line

posted 46 tackles and two sacks junior year

Honors and Rankings

four-star prospect by Rivals.com and scout.com

selected as the fifth-best player in the state of Arizona and the 194th player nationally by Rivals.com

listed as the No. 3 most athletic offensive lineman and the fifth-most agile offensive lineman according to Rivals.com

rated as the nation's 16th-best offensive tackle according to Rivals.com

SuperPrep All-American and the nation's No. 10 overall offensive line prospect

rated as the third-best prospect in the state of Arizona according to SuperPrep

listed as the No. 20 offensive tackle nationally by scout.com

ranked as the 12th-best offensive tackle prospect and the No. 148 overall prospect according to Scouts, Inc.

selected as the 274th overall player by scout.com

Prep Star All-American and named to the publication's Top 250

Under Armour All-American game participant

recipient of the 2008 Frank Kush Award as the state of Arizona's top interior offensive lineman

Arizona Republic and East Valley Tribune all-state first team as a senior

Desert Sky first-team All-Region senior year

all-city first team as a senior.

Taylor Curtis Lewan was born July 21, 1991

father, Dave, was an offensive lineman at Minnesota

high school teammate of defensive end Craig Roh

enrolled in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, majoring in general studies.