One of the best edge rushers in the entire nation is officially heading to the league. The Detroit Lions have selected Michigan senior Aidan Hutchinson 2 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday after a fantastic season for the Wolverines where he racked up 14 sacks for John Harbaugh's squad.
At 6 foot 6 and 265 pounds, Hutchinson is an imposing figure at defensive end and should have no problem making an immediate impact in the NFL. His size and strength are unmatched and he's truly a franchise-changing player on the defensive side of the ball.
Hutchinson was long considered the best player in the NFL Draft and he proved just why in 2021. After a dismal junior season where the 21-year-old played in just two games due to injury, Hutchinson burst onto the scene this past season. Aside from ranking third in the NCAA in sacks, he also racked up 62 total tackles in 14 games for Michigan. He even notched 16.5 tackles for loss.
Prior to the NFL Draft, there were some concerns over his speed and arm length. He ran just a 4.74 40-yard dash at the combine but, Hutchinson is still a phenomenal athlete and is expected to make a huge difference immediately in the NFL. After all, he was one of the main reasons Michigan was able to win the Big 10 and make the College Football Playoff.
The Lions walk away with arguably the best player overall in the draft after the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Travon Walker one overall. Congrats to Aidan Hutchinson and his family on this memorable day.