Michigan Football: Aidan Hutchinson return huge for Wolverines
Michigan football is getting a top defensive player back in Aidan Hutchinson who said he would be coming back to the Wolverines next season.
Michigan football fans had high expectations for Aidan Hutchinson going into the 2020 season and with the way he started camp, the hopes for his production was high.
There were even comparisons to the Bosa brothers, the two edge rushers that dominated at Ohio State and ended up as top-five picks. Hutchinson didn’t shy away from the talk and a number of pundits talked about him as an early-round NFL draft selection.
Unfortunately, Hutchinson’s season went about as well as 2020 did for the entire Michigan football team as he made it through just two games due to injury and suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Hutchinson had nine tackles and a pass defensed in the two games, but instead of trying his luck with the NFL draft, Hutchinson officially announced Monday that he will return to the Wolverines.
Not quite done yet— I’ve decided to forego the NFL and return for my senior year〽️ #GOBLUE pic.twitter.com/FFtDiKbzgr
— Aidan Hutchinson (@aidanhutch97) December 28, 2020
The thing about Hutchinson is that he already has NFL size at 6-foot-6 and around 280 pounds. That’s the kind of size you just can’t teach and he’s outstanding against the run.
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In 22 games as a Wolverine, Hutchinson has registered just 3.5 sacks and that’s an area he will need to improve if he’s going to have any shot at cracking the first round.
At any rate, the Wolverines were already lacking in depth along the defensive line and losing Hutchinson would have made things even worse.
Kwity Paye has decided to go into the NFL draft. He was a senior this year but all players have the ability to play an extra year if they so choose. Paye, who is being projected as a first-round pick decided to forgo that season in what’s probably a smart move.
But even if Hutchinson were to declare for the draft, with him fresh off an injury, his draft stock would probably be helped by a strong 2021 season.
And with no proven pass rushers on the roster for next season, Hutchinson’s return is huge and even though more depth is needed, if he can get healthy, he can still be an elite defensive end.