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Michigan football OT Jalen Mayfield opts back into college football season

Michigan football is getting one of its top players back.

Offensive tackle Jalen Mayfield, who previously left the program and declared for the 2021 NFL draft, has chosen to opt back into the college football season and play this fall, according to multiple reports.

Mayfield's return was received warmly on Twitter, with offensive coordinator Josh Gattis writing, "Let's go!!! This season will be special for you!!!"

Mayfield's decision comes just over a month after he originally opted out of the season and declared for the draft following the Big Ten's postponement of all college sports.

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Earlier this week, his father, Brian Mayfield, told the Free Press that Mayfield would not return to Michigan, even with college football back on.

In preparation for the draft, Mayfield signed with an agent, and although he had yet to accept any financial benefits as of this week according to his father, will have to regain his NCAA eligibility to play this fall because of his association with an agent.

Several other Big Ten teams such as Ohio State and Minnesota are hoping to gain clearance for star players who signed with agents after the season's postponement before opting back into the season.

Mayfield, projected as a first-round draft pick, would be the Wolverines' only returning starter along the offensive line. After redshirting in 2018, Mayfield emerged as Michigan's starting right tackle in 2019, starting all 13 games and excelling down the stretch as the team's schedule became more difficult.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football's Jalen Mayfield opts back into fall season