Michigan Football: Jake Butt returning to school, bypasses NFL Draft

Michigan Wolverines tight end Jake Butt is returning to school next year and will bypass the NFL Draft.

Jim Harbaugh received some fantastic news on Tuesday afternoon with the news his star tight end Jake Butt will return to Michigan for his senior year and bypass the NFL Draft.

Butt had 48 receptions for 620 yards and three touchdowns this year for the resurgent Wolverines and is in contention to garner All-American honors. He ranks as the No. 2 draft-eligible tight end, according to ESPN.com’s Mel Kiper, Jr ($), behind only Arkansas Razorbacks junior tight end Hunter Henry.

He probably wouldn’t have been a first round pick this year, but could have been a top-50 pick with a strong showing at February’s NFL Scouting Combine and Michigan’s pro day this year had he declared for the draft. He could work his way into the first round conversation if he builds on his junior year production and continues to refine his skill-set and get bigger, stronger, faster and stays healthy.

Butt shared a note on Twitter to say he will be returning to the “most historic university and the greatest coaches in college football” that you can read below.

This was a big win for Harbaugh to keep Butt around for one more year to help the Wolverines offense who will have a new starter at quarterback next year with Jake Rudock exhausting his eligibility so the new starter will have a dependable and reliable security blanket in Butt to help his transition under center.

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In an era when athletes are jumping to the pro ranks early and often to get paid, it’s nice to see Butt make the selfless decision to stay in school and help Michigan chase a Big Ten championship and then pursue his NFL dream.