Michigan NFL Update: Wolverines at the Pro and Senior Bowls

A pair of former Wolverines competed this past weekend — one at the Pro Bowl in Orlando (Fla.) and the other at the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile (Ala.).

Tennessee Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan started for the AFC in a 26-7 victory. The 6-foot-7, 309-pounder earned All-Pro honors for the third-straight season.

While naturally not making the box score, he showed off his versatility all week long. Here he is out-gunning fellow tackle Alejandro Villanueva in a bullseye competition.

On the field, his lack of intensity led to a near sack by Alvin Kamara...a running back for the New Orleans Saints.

The former Michigan captain will play his sixth NFL season next fall. He is entering the second year of a five-year, $80 million contract. He is the highest-paid left tackle in the league.

New England’s Tom Brady also qualified for the Pro Bowl. His Patriots face the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII next Sunday in Atlanta.

Meanwhile, Karan Higdon carried five times for 18 yards for the North in a 34-24 victory over the South on Saturday.

Higdon also tried to slam into the end zone on a two-point conversion attempt early in the fourth quarter. He was stuffed immediately by former Maryland defensive end Byron Cowart.

His five carries were trailed Notre Dame’s Dexter Williams (11) and Memphis’ Tony Pollard’s (eight) for most rushes for the North.

Pro Football Focus (PFF) graded him with an overall mark of 55.5 (64 is considered average).

That unfavorable evaluation included 56.1 number in the rushing department, and a 60 grade for run blocking.

Higdon rushed for 1,178 yards this past season at Michigan, becoming the first Wolverine running back to run for 1,000 yards since Fitzgerald Toussaint tallied 1,041 in 2011.

He talked afterwards about the feedback he received.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper ranked Higdon eighth among the best-available running backs for this April’s NFL Draft. That could make him a second or lower round selection.

Chase Winovich declined to participate for the North due to a lingering injury.