Michigan Football: 10 most important Wolverines for 2021 season

No. 1 Aidan Hutchinson

It’s easy to look at Michigan’s 2-4 record last season and judge the season as a disaster. It was but think about the fact that Aidan Hutchinson, Kwity Paye, Jalen Mayfield, Cam McGrone — all players drafted or will be drafted, were limited due to injuries.

Michigan football also didn’t have Nico Collins or Ambry Thomas. I don’t care how talented you are, if you take off six of the best players from any team, it’s going to take a toll. The culture was also bad and it all spun out of control.

This offseason, the culture seems back on track. And the talent is there, just look at Hutchinson who is projected by many to be a first-round pick.

In three partial seasons, Hutchinson has 94 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks, not to mention three forced fumbles and seven passes defended.

However, if he’s going to live to that first-round potential, he needs to have more than 3.5 sacks this season. The scheme limited him in the past. Macdonald should be able to move him around and find the most favorable matchups.

Now that he’s healthy, he’s got the chance to be as productive as any pass rusher in the Big Ten and that kind of play could anchor one of the conference’s best defenses.