Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor, August 27, 2013

And then there were two. With two days left before Indiana (Indiana State) and Minnesota (UNLV) kick things off for the Big Ten on Thursday on BTN/BTN2Go, our countdown of the top 25 players has reached No. 2: Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan. Read about Lewan and check out the entire countdown in this post.

No. 2: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan

Lewan could be a rich man and in the NFL right now. The incredibly gifted offensive lineman stunned many when he announced he would return to Michigan for his senior season. Hey, the gamble paid off for Michigan product Jake Long, who turned down the NFL after his junior season and went on to become the No. 1 pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. Clearly, the NFL's loss is Michigan's gain. And no one gains more from Lewan's return than quarterback Devin Gardner, who can relax in the pocket knowing the massive and dominant 6-8, 309-pounder has his blind side covered.

BTN.com?s top 25 players of 2013
1.
Aug. 28
2.
Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
3.
Taylor Martinez, QB, Nebraska
4.
Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State
5.
Venric Mark, RB, Northwestern
6.
Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
7.
Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State
8.
Devin Gardner, QB, Michigan
9.
Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin
10.
Max Bullough, LB, Michigan State
11.
Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
12.
Kenny Bell, WR, Nebraska
13.
Tyler Scott, DE, Northwestern
14.
Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska
15.
Brandon Vitabile, C, Northwestern
16. Jack Mewhort, OT, Ohio State
17.
Kain Colter, QB, Northwestern
18. Jared Abbrederis, WR, Wisconsin
19. Spencer Long, G, Nebraska
20.
Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
21.
Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
22.
Deion Barnes, DE, Penn State
23.
Isaiah Lewis, S, Michigan State
24. James White, RB, Wisconsin
25.
Anthony Hitchens, LB, Iowa