Taylor Lewan Leads Team To State Finals

Taylor Lewan, a 6-foot-6, 265-pound offensive lineman from Scottsdale (AZ) Chaparral who recently made his official visit to Minnesota, helped lead his team past Canyon del Oro 13-7 in the Friday's 4A-I semifinals. They will play crosstown rival Scottsdale Saguaro for its first state title since 2002 next Saturday at Sun Devil Stadium.

Taylor Lewan played defensive tackle as a sophomore and junior, but was moved to offensive tackle this season as he transferred to Chaparral. They are 12-1 and will face Scottsdale Saguaro (13-0), the two-time defending state champions that have 32 consecutive wins.

Lewan has visited Minnesota and attended the Minnesota summer football camp and the team's Junior Day in January.

His father, Dave, attended Minnesota from 1982-87, but saw his football career cut short after undergoing lung surgery after his sophomore year. He spent time growing up in Edina before attending high school in Canada. Dave said that he grew up going to games at Memorial Stadium, only to arrive at Minnesota the first year that they played in the Metrodome.

Lewan plans to make visits to both Michigan and Oregon. Those visits have been pushed back by his playoff schedule. He may end up announcing his choice during the ESPN Under Armour Game held in Orlando on Jan 4.

Lewan, who transferred from Catcus Shadows, shined at the Scout.com/Under Armor Combine in Phoenix this summer. He ran a 4.72 40-yard dash, had 7.60 in the three-cone drill and went 8-foot-11 in the broad jump, which were all tops for offensive linemen at the combine. Lewan was measured at 6-foot-6 and 265 and had a 26 1/2-inch no-step vertical at the camp. Lewan bench presses 315 pounds and squats 455 pounds.