Taylor Lewan was a decade removed from his playing days as an active member of the Michigan football program and was actually a full year into his NFL retirement when his Wolverines became embroiled in its infamous 2023 sign-stealing scheme perpetrated by then-staffer Connor Stalions.
Of course, once a Michigan Man, always a Michigan Man, and the former offensive lineman-turned-podcaster is no different.
Last week, the NCAA Committee on Infractions released the findings from its two-year investigation into the Wolverines’ 2023 sign-stealing scandal, levying significant financial penalites as well as multiple show-cause orders against both current and former Michigan staff members. That included a 10-year show-cause order for then-head coach Jim Harbaugh, who is entering his second season as the Los Angeles Chargers head coach, and an unprecedented eight-year show-cause for Stalions, who was fired in Nov. 2023 after two years as a defensive analyst once his scheme was uncovered the month prior. Second-year head coach Sherrone Moore received an additional one-game suspension to be served during the 2026 season-opener in addition to his self-imposed two-game suspension late this season.
Bussin’ With The Boys podcast co-host Taylor Lewan, a two-time All-American offensive tackle at Michigan between 2009-12, shared his reaction to the NCAA penalties against his alma mater during Tuesday’s episode with fellow college football analyst Josh Pate. And it went as one might expect.
“So basically, … a lot of allegations. They did their investigation, realized (they) don’t have a lot of footing to stand on, so they slapped (Michigan) with a $20 million fine, AKA a drop in the bucket, and said Sherrone, you have to suspend yourself one more game. … This is (the NCAA) saving face,” Lewan began amid a back and forth with Pate and co-host Will Compton.
“Also, when the microscope finally went on Michigan, it’s right before Penn State, Maryland, … Ohio State, Alabama and Washington. So if everyone is watching every single thing you do, let’s say you were cheating and all the worst things are real, there’s no way to cheat those games. Can’t do it.”
Former Michigan offensive lineman Taylor Lewan: ‘Listen, Michigan didn’t do anything wrong’
Compton, a Nebraska alum, pointed out multiple Michigan staffers were cited with allegedly destroying evidence – including Stalions reportedly telling NCAA investigators he threw his personal cell phone into an Ann Arbor pond. Lewan immediately dismissed any impropriety on the Wolverines’ part.
“A lot of alleged things happened, but the manifesto, sorry my boy is detailed-oriented, who is also a Marine – show some respect,” Lewan deadpanned. “Listen, Michigan … didn’t do anything wrong.”
At this point, after a little pushback from Compton and Pate, Lewan used the old “speed limits are just suggestions” defense.
“Mike Vrabel (once) said, ‘You find the rules and good teams use the rules to their advantage.’ Michigan is a good football team that took the rules, found the gray, exploited the gray, those will be sown up,” Lewan continued. “There’s a reason why there’s tax loopholes for all the billionaires. … You’re trying to compete.
“(Michigan) still won the national title, can’t take it away,” Lewan added. “We did it. … It’s like, yeah, was (Stalions) at the Michigan State game? Probably. Was he doing those things? Probably. Prove it. Get it done.”
Taylor Lewan: Ohio State should retroactively claim national championship from Tattoogate year
As a true Michigan Man, Lewan then took the opportunity to rub salt in the eyes of Ohio State fans, highlighting the serious sanctions levied against the rival Buckeyes as a result of “Tattoogate” when the NCAA vacated all 12 wins from the 2010 season and suspended five players for the first five games of the 2011 season after it was discovered select Ohio State players allegedly received improper benefits from the owner of a Columbus tattoo parlor in 2010.
“The fact that Michigan had all these things and get slapped with what they had, but in 2011 or 2010, they get free tattoos and they have bowl bans, wins stripped away,” Lewan said with a laugh. “They would’ve won the natty that year.”
At which point, Lewan suggested Ohio State should retroactively claim the 2010 national championship in a similar vein to what UCF did when it put up a banner inside Spectrum Stadium after claiming the 2017 national title following its undefeated, 13-0 season that same season.
Suffice it to say, you can take the man out of Michigan, but not the Michigan out of the man.
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