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Ohio State defensive end Tyquan Lewis reportedly has decided to return to the Buckeyes for his redshirt senior season despite being named the Big Ten’s Defensive Lineman of the Year.

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Tyquan Lewis has developed into one of the most feared defensive linemen in the Big Ten, but apparently he feels there’s still more to prove.

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg reported Thursday that Lewis will return to Ohio State for his redshirt junior season after recording 10.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks last season. That effort earned him the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year award while helping the Buckeyes reach the College Football Playoff.

Lewis also added 29 tackles in his first full season as a starter, and also led Ohio State in sacks last year. He likely wouldn’t have been a first-round pick in the NFL Draft, but there was a strong possibility Lewis would be selected on Day 2.

The move, while a surprise when also considering Lewis has already obtained his degree, will give the Buckeyes an experienced defensive front in 2017. Fellow linemen Sam Hubbard and Jalyn Holmes have announced their intentions to bypass the NFL Draft for now and return to Ohio State next season.

Quarterback J.T. Barrett also confirmed he will return to the Buckeyes for his redshirt senior season, but they’ll have to do some replacing in the secondary.

Malik Hooker, who led the Big Ten with seven interceptions and returned three for touchdowns, is expected to be among the first players chosen after declaring himself eligible for the draft. Fellow defensive back Gareon Conley also is leaving early for the NFL.

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