Michigan OL Jalen Mayfield opts back in to season

Michigan Wolverines offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield will attempt to bolster his 2021 NFL Draft stock on the field this fall. 

As Tom VanHaaren wrote for ESPN on Friday, the redshirt sophomore already viewed as one of the most promising tackles of next year's draft class opted back in and plans to play for Michigan when the Big Ten begins its season on the weekend of Oct. 23-24. 

Mayfield originally opted out on Aug. 18, one week after the Big Ten announced it had postponed football and other fall sports through the end of the year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The conference reversed that decision earlier this week, though, which led to Mayfield joining Ohio State's Shaun Wade and Wyatt Davis among a list of noteworthy players who have since returned to their collegiate programs. 

Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports listed Mayfield as a first-round pick in his 2021 mock draft updated this past Wednesday. That same day, Walter Football forecast that Mayfield could be a top-10 selection even if he didn't play this fall. 

It seems such information wasn't enough to keep Mayfield away from Michigan teammates for one more season.