Taylor Lewan

Taylor Lewan
refer to caption
Lewan with the Tennessee Titans in 2021
No. 77
Position:Tackle
Personal information
Born: (1991-07-22) July 22, 1991 (age 33)
Loomis, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight:309 lb (140 kg)
Career information
High school:Chaparral (Scottsdale, Arizona)
College:Michigan (2009–2013)
NFL draft:2014 / round: 1 / pick: 11
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:105
Games started:100
Receptions:1
Receiving yards:10
Receiving touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Taylor Curtis Lewan (born July 22, 1991) is an American former professional football tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, twice earning first-team All-American honors, and was selected by the Titans in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. During his NFL career, Lewan was named to three consecutive Pro Bowls. Since retiring, he has co-hosted the Barstool Sports podcast Bussin' With The Boys with former Titans linebacker Will Compton.

Early life

Lewan was born in Loomis, California, on July 22, 1991, to Dave Lewan and Kelly Riley.[1] Dave was an offensive lineman at the University of Minnesota. Taylor Lewan played his first three years of high school football for Cactus Shadows High School in Cave Creek, Arizona. Lewan was a defensive end before transferring to Chaparral High School for his senior season, where he became an offensive lineman.[2][3]

Lewan was rated as a four-star prospect by Rivals.com and Scout.com. He was selected as the fifth-best player in the state of Arizona and the 194th player nationally by Rivals.com. Lewan was listed as the No. 3 most athletic offensive lineman and the fifth-most agile offensive lineman according to Rivals.com. He was a SuperPrep All-American and the nation's No. 10 overall offensive line prospect. Lewan was selected to participate in the Under Armour All-America Game.[4]

College recruiting information
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
Taylor Lewan
OT 		Scottsdale, Arizona Chaparral (AZ) 6 ft 6.5 in (1.99 m) 270 lb (120 kg) 4.645 Dec 14, 2008 
Star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 80
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 20 (OT)   Rivals: 194, 16 (OT), 5 (AZ)  ESPN: 148, 12 (OT)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Michigan Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
  • "2009 Michigan Football Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
  • "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
  • "2009 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved November 9, 2010.

College career

Lewan in 2012

Lewan enrolled at the University of Michigan in 2009, where he majored in general studies, and redshirted his freshman year.[5][6]

Although Lewan did not play in the 2010 season opener, he appeared in 11 games, including nine as a starter, during the 2010 season.[7] In 2010, Lewan took over the starting left tackle role from Mark Huyge in the fourth game versus Bowling Green.[8] Michigan's offense displayed one of the top rushing attacks in the country, with quarterback Denard Robinson as the team's leading rusher behind protection by Lewan and fellow offensive linemen David Molk, Patrick Omameh, Steven Schilling, and Perry Dorrestein. However, Lewan also displayed a knack for ill-timed, drive-killing penalties, mostly for false starts and personal fouls. These were attributed to his youth and aggressive nature on the field.[9][10] In the first quarter of the Purdue game, he recovered a fumble and returned it for 11 yards.[11] After the 2010 season, Lewan was named by CollegeFootballNews.com to its Freshman All-America second team.[7]

As a redshirt sophomore in 2011, Lewan was a starting offensive tackle for the Wolverines. After failing to draw a penalty in Michigan's early games, he was praised for becoming a more intelligent player.[12] Lewan was Michigan's starting left tackle in the first seven games of the season and was named to Phil Steele's Midseason All-Big Ten second team.[7] Following the 2011 Big Ten Conference football season, Lewan earned second team All-conference recognition.[13][14] He was an honorable mention All-American selectee by the Pro Football Weekly.[15]

Prior to the 2012 season, Lewan was selected by the media as one of five Big Ten Offensive players to watch along with teammate Denard Robinson as voted by the media.[16] Following the season, Lewan was named the Big Ten Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year and named to the All-Big Ten first team by both the coaches and the media.[17][18] Lewan was a 2012 College Football All-America Team selection by the Associated Press (1st team),[19] ESPN (1st team),[20] Walter Camp Football Foundation (1st team),[21] Lindy's Sports (1st team),[22] Sports Illustrated (1st team),[23] CBSSports.com (2nd team), FoxSportsNext.com (Scout.com 2nd team),[24][25] and Pro Football Weekly (honorable mention).[26] CBSSports.com also named Lewan along with punter Will Hagerup to their All-Big Ten team.[27]

In 2013, Lewan was named Big Ten Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year for the second season in a row.[28]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 7+1⁄8 in
(2.01 m) 		309 lb
(140 kg) 		33+7⁄8 in
(0.86 m) 		9+1⁄4 in
(0.23 m)		 4.85 s 1.70 s 4.49 s 7.39 s 30+1⁄2 in
(0.77 m)		 9 ft 9 in
(2.97 m)		 29 reps
All values from NFL Combine[29]

2014–2015: Early career

Lewan in 2014

Lewan was selected by the Tennessee Titans as the eleventh pick of the first round of the 2014 NFL draft.[30] He signed a four-year $11.48 million fully guaranteed contract and a signing bonus of $6.67 million.[31] In his rookie year in 2014, Lewan played in 11 games and started in six of them due to injuries, he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie team.[32][33] The Titans finished the season with a 2–14 record, tying them with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[34]

Coming into the 2015 season, Lewan was named the starting left tackle. He started in 15 games and allowed five sacks.[35] The Titans finished with a league-worst record of 3–13.[36]

2016–2018: Pro Bowl seasons

Lewan in 2016

In 2016, Lewan remained the starting left tackle, starting all 16 games and blocking for DeMarco Murray as he led the American Football Conference (AFC) in rushing yards and finished third in the league.

On October 23, 2016, Lewan scored his first NFL touchdown on a 10-yard pass from Marcus Mariota in a 34–26 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.[37] Three weeks later, Lewan was ejected in the first quarter of a 47–25 victory over the Green Bay Packers after pushing a referee during an altercation with defensive tackle Letroy Guion.[38] Lewan was selected to his first Pro Bowl for the 2016 season.[39] The Titans finished with a 9–7 record and narrowly missed the playoffs.[40] Lewan was ranked 72nd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017.[41]

On April 25, 2017, the Titans picked up the fifth-year option on Lewan's rookie contract.[42] Lewan started all 16 games in 2017 as the Titans finished with another 9–7 record.[43] On December 19, 2017, Lewan was named to his second Pro Bowl.[44] He was ranked 78th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018.[45]

On July 27, 2018, Lewan signed five-year, $80 million contract extension with the Titans with $50 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in league history.[46]

Lewan in 2018

During a 27–20 Week 1 road loss to the Miami Dolphins, Lewan suffered a concussion after a blind side hit by Andre Branch.[47] Lewan missed the rest of the game and the next game against the Houston Texans. He returned from concussion protocol prior in Week 3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.[48] Branch was fined $10,026 for taunting following the hit.[49] During a 13–12 Week 5 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Lewan left the game early due to a foot injury.[50] He had an MRI, but returned the next week against the Baltimore Ravens. On December 18, 2018, Lewan was selected to his third consecutive Pro Bowl.[51] The Titans missed the playoffs due to a 33–17 loss to the Colts in the regular-season finale, finishing with a 9–7 record for the third consecutive year.[52] Lewan finished the 2018 season playing in 15 games. He was ranked 77th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019.[53]

2019–2023: Later career

On July 24, 2019, Lewan announced in a video that he was suspended four games after failing a drug test for a banned substance.[54] He was reinstated from suspension on September 30 and was activated on October 4.[55] Lewan started all 12 of the Titans' remaining regular-season games, blocking for Derrick Henry as he won the NFL rushing title. The Titans finished 9–7 for the fourth consecutive year and qualified for the 2019-20 NFL playoffs,[56] making it to their first AFC Championship Game since 2003 where they lost to eventual Super Bowl LIV champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. Lewan started all three of the Titans playoff games, blocking for Henry as he ran for almost 200 yards in each of the first two games.

Lewan started the first five games of the 2020 season.[57] During a Week 6 42–36 overtime victory over the Texans, Lewan tore his ACL and was placed on injured reserve on October 19, 2020.[58]

Lewan suffered a knee injury in Week 2 of the 2022 season and was ruled out for the year.[59] On February 10, 2023, Lewan announced that he believed the Titans would release him and that he would be considering retirement from playing.[60] The Titans released Lewan 12 days later.[61]

Personal life

Lewan resides in Springfield, Tennessee with his wife, Taylin, and two daughters, Wynne and Willow.[62] Lewan and former teammate Will Compton started a podcast in the summer of 2019 called "Bussin With the Boys" on the Barstool Sports network.[63] In May 2023, Lewan filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against Dr. James Andrews over an October 2020 surgery to repair a torn ACL that left him with permanent damage.[64]

References

  1. ^ "Taylor Lewan". Tennessee Titans. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  2. ^ Obert, Richard (July 2, 2008). "Lewan's switch to offense makes him bigger recruit". Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013.
  3. ^ Obert, Richard (June 21, 2008). "Lewan checks out camps". Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Ariz. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012.
  4. ^ Helmholdt, Josh (January 6, 2009). "Michigan commits take part in pair of weekend all-star games". Detroit Free Press.
  5. ^ "Taylor Lewan profile". MGoBlue.com. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
  6. ^ Snyder, Mark (June 16, 2009). "Lewan: The new No. 77". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012.
  7. ^ a b c "Taylor Lewan Bio". University of Michigan. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  8. ^ Bigelow, Pete (October 29, 2010). "Michigan left tackle Taylor Lewan received a simple message from No. 1 pick Jake Long". AnnArbor.com. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  9. ^ Snyder, Mark (October 30, 2010). "Michigan redshirt freshman Taylor Lewan needs to control energy". Detroit Free Press.
  10. ^ Meinke, Kyle (September 27, 2011). "Fiery Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan harnessing emotions, reining in penalties". AnnArbor.com. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  11. ^ Anbender, Ace (November 15, 2010). "Beautifully Ugly". The Wolverine Blog.
  12. ^ Chengelis, Angelique S. (September 29, 2011). "Taylor Lewan shows caution for flags". The Detroit News.
  13. ^ "Molk Named Top Offensive Lineman to Headline Big Ten Awards". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. November 28, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
  14. ^ "Big Ten Announces 2011 All-Big Ten Teams and Select Individual Award Winners". BigTen.org. CBS Interactive. November 28, 2011. Archived from the original on November 29, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
  15. ^ Nawrocki, Nolan (December 12, 2011). "PFW 2011 All-America team". Pro Football Weekly. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
  16. ^ "Big Ten Weekly Football Release – August 27: Big Ten set to kick off 117th season when teams begin play Aug. 30, 31 or Sept. 1". BigTen.org. CBS Interactive. August 27, 2012. Archived from the original on September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
  17. ^ "Lewan, Hagerup Win Top Position Awards at Big Ten Banquet". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. November 26, 2012. Archived from the original on November 28, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  18. ^ "Big Ten Announces 2012 All-Big Ten Teams and Select Individual Award Winners". BigTen.org. CBS Interactive. November 26, 2012. Archived from the original on November 30, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  19. ^ "Lewan Named to All-America First Team by Associated Press". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. December 11, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  20. ^ "AT&T ESPN All-America Team". ESPN. December 8, 2012. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  21. ^ "Walter Camp 123rd All-America Team". Walter Camp Football Foundation. December 6, 2012. Archived from the original on December 10, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  22. ^ "Lindy's announces its 2012 All-America Teams". Lindy's Sports. December 7, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  23. ^ "SI.com's 2012 All-America Team". Sports Illustrated. December 11, 2012. Archived from the original on December 14, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  24. ^ "CBSSports.com 2012 College Football All-America Team". CBS Sports. December 3, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  25. ^ "FoxSportsNext.com 2012 All-America Team". Scout.com. December 7, 2012. Archived from the original on December 7, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  26. ^ Nawrocki, Nolan (December 11, 2012). "PFW 2012 All-America team". Pro Football Weekly. Archived from the original on December 15, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  27. ^ Singer, Mike (December 2, 2012). "CBSSports.com's Big Ten All-Conference Team". CBS Sports. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  28. ^ "Who won 2013 Big Ten individual awards?". www.btn.com. Big Ten Network. December 3, 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
  29. ^ "NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles – Taylor Lewan". NFL.com. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  30. ^ Wyatt, Jim (May 8, 2014). "Taylor Lewan is Titans' first-round pick". The Tennessean. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  31. ^ "Spotrac.com:Taylor Lewan contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  32. ^ "Taylor Lewan 2014 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  33. ^ "2014 NFL All-Rookie Team". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  34. ^ "2014 Tennessee Titans Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  35. ^ "Taylor Lewan 2015 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  36. ^ "2015 Tennessee Titans Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  37. ^ "Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans – October 23rd, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
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  39. ^ "NFL announces 2017 Pro Bowl rosters". NFL.com. December 20, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  40. ^ "2016 Tennessee Titans Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  41. ^ "2017 NFL Top 100". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  42. ^ Alper, Josh (April 25, 2017). "Titans pick up Taylor Lewan's 2018 option". NBCSports.com. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
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  44. ^ "NFL announces 2018 Pro Bowl rosters". NFL.com. December 19, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  45. ^ "2018 NFL Top 100". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  46. ^ Patra, Kevin (July 27, 2018). "Taylor Lewan signs $80M extension with Titans". NFL.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  47. ^ Gray, Nick (September 9, 2018). "Titans: Taylor Lewan out for rest of game with concussion". Tennessean.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  48. ^ Cotton, Dan (September 21, 2018). "Report: Taylor Lewan out of concussion protocol". 247Sports.com. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  49. ^ Bacharach, Erik (September 14, 2018). "Dolphins' Andre Branch fined by NFL for taunting after hit to Titans' Taylor Lewan". Tennessean.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  50. ^ Bacharach, Erik (October 7, 2018). "Titans' Taylor Lewan scheduled to get MRI on foot injury". Tennessean.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  51. ^ Wyatt, Jim (December 18, 2018). "Three Titans – Jurrell Casey, Taylor Lewan and Brett Kern – Selected to Pro Bowl Team". Tennessee Titans. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
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  54. ^ Patra, Kevin (July 24, 2019). "Taylor Lewan says he's facing 4-game suspension". NFL.com. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  55. ^ Wyatt, Jim (October 4, 2019). "Titans Officially Add LT Taylor Lewan to 53-Man Roster, Place David Fluellen on Injured Reserve". Tennessee Titans. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
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  57. ^ "Taylor Lewan 2020 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  58. ^ Davenport, Turron (October 19, 2020). "Tennessee Titans LT Taylor Lewan confirms he suffered torn ACL". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  59. ^ Wyatt, Jim (September 24, 2022). "Roster Moves: Titans Place LT Taylor Lewan on Injured Reserve, Promote OLB Wyatt Ray to 53-Man Roster". TennesseeTitans.com.
  60. ^ Edholm, Eric (February 10, 2023). "OT Taylor Lewan says he 'will be cut' by Titans in coming weeks, ponders playing future". NFL.com. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  61. ^ Wyatt, Jim (February 22, 2023). "Titans Release LT Taylor Lewan, WR Robert Woods and K Randy Bullock". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  62. ^ Rexrode, Joe (August 5, 2017). "Titans linemen Jack Conklin, Taylor Lewan protect baby daughters, Marcus Mariota". Tennessean.com. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  63. ^ Bacharach, Erik (May 26, 2019). "New Taylor Lewan, Will Compton podcast 'just two dudes being dudes'". The Tennessean. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  64. ^ "Taylor Lewan sues Dr. James Andrews over ACL repair". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 4, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
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