Michigan Wolverines news: Aidan Hutchinson wins Rookie of the Year, recruiting, and more

Michigan football legend added a Rookie of the Year award to his collection, plus more in our Michigan Wolverines news roundup. 

Former Michigan football player Aidan Hutchinson had an incredible rookie season for the Detroit Lions this season and on Thursday he was awarded the Pepsi NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

After finishing second in the 2021 Heisman Trophy voting and leading Michigan football to a Big Ten championship, Hutchinson went to work helping the Lions rebuild and was credited with 9.5 sacks, 34 solo tackles, three interceptions, nine tackles for loss, and three pass breakups.

Hutchinson helped the Lions sweep the Green Bay Packers and finished with a 9-8 record. His interception of Aaron Rodgers in the first game was memorable and in the second, he dominated as a pass rusher.

The fan vote played a key role in the former Michigan football standout winning the award but it was no doubt deserved. However, Sauce Gardner, the New York Jets cornerback won the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. He was also named an All-Pro.

New Michigan football assistant already recruiting

Chris Partridge was known as a great recruit in his first stint with the Michigan Wolverines and now that Jim Harbaugh has hired him back, he’s already back to work recruiting.

According to Sam Webb of The Michigan Insider, Partridge was in contact with top 2024 linebacker target Aaron Chiles, who is out of Olney, Maryland.

Chiles is a top-100 target and is ranked 66th overall in the 247 sports composite rankings. He’s the fifth-ranked linebacker overall in the 2024 recruiting class and according to Webb, he’s expected back on campus for an unofficial visit next month.

Penn State leads with two visits right now according to On3 but this would be Chiles’ second visit this year to Michigan football and that bodes well as the program attempts to land its first top-100 pledge since the 2022 class.

Michigan Wolverines women’s basketball is an early No. 3 seed

The Michigan men’s basketball team is on the NCAA tournament bubble, but the women aren’t, and on Thursday night, the NCAA selection committee released its top-16 seeds right now.

Michigan was part of the top-16 teams and the Wolverines were given a No. 3 overall seed. Michigan has made two consecutive Sweet 16 appearances under head Kim Barnes Arico.

The Wolverines are 19-5 this season and are 9-4 in the Big Ten. U-M is fifth in the Big Ten but trails Ohio State by a half-game for fourth. Michigan will play on Sunday against Nebraska.