Michigan's Taylor Lewan, considered one of the top three offensive tackles in the draft and a potential top-12 draft pick, faces three misdemeanor charges from a Dec. 1 incident in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Lewan will be arraigned April 8 and faces a charge of aggravated assault and two charges of assault and battery, mlive.com reported Thursday afternoon.
The incident happened early on Sunday, Dec. 1, hours after Ohio State beat Michigan 42-41. Two Buckeyes fans reported being assaulted. Lewan has been asked about the incident and has said he was trying to break up a fight.
Mlive.com reported that police confirmed the charges but declined to release more information other than to say that "it appears (Lewan is) the only who is going to be charged at this time."
Mlive.com reported that in Michigan, aggravated assault is punishable by one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine and that assault and battery is punishable by 93 days in jail or a fine of up to $500. It is Lewan's first offense, and because of that, jail time seems extremely unlikely.
Lewan (6-foot-7, 309 pounds) is known for his intensity on the field and has dealt with talk that he is a dirty player.
The charges, even if they eventually are dismissed, likely will lead to teams re-examining Lewan's character, and the potential exists for some to shy away from him. Still, to think he could take a big tumble in the draft because of the misdemeanor charges seems rather outlandish.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
