Ohio State lineman makes bold statement about Aidan Hutchinson

Michigan edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson and Ohio State offensive lineman Thayer Munford both received invites to the 2022 NFL combine. With their college rivalry in the rear-view mirror as professional careers approach, reporters asked for one more quick glimpse backward.

When asked whether Aidan Hutchinson ranked as the best edge rusher Thayer Munford faced during his college career, he did not mince words.

“Not really (the toughest),” Munford said, via MLive. “Basically my toughest matchup was always practice. So basically, my first two years were Chase Young and Nick Bosa. Blocking those two every day, yeah, you see what they can do in the NFL. So.”

According to MLive, while that assessment might anger and frustrate some Michigan fans, it is backed up by a former Wolverine. Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow worked out with Hutchinson and sad that despite the strength and skill, the Bosa brothers just bring another level to their game. Although, he also said Hutchinson fits the same mold and would make a great fit with the franchise at No. 2 overall this year.

Munford was also scheduled to face the other projected top five edge rusher in the 2022 NFL Draft class, Kayvon Thibodeaux, but injuries held the Oregon star out of the game against the Buckeyes.

Thayer Munford on Aidan Hutchinson

While fielding questions from the media, Thayer Munford received a question about one play where he encountered Aidan Hutchinson head-on. The question came from MLive, a Michigan based website, and sparked a controversy in one of college football’s biggest rivalries.

The reporter asked Munford to recount his recollection of a viral play where Hutchinson bull-rushed and knocked him over on the way to Michigan’s first series win in over a decade.

“I’ve been getting that question all the time,” Munford responded. “It’s just one play. Aidan’s a great player, and I give him all the props in the world, because he has grown from the last time I played him in 2019 to 2021.”

He continued: “It’s not just something that happened. I messed my own self up on that little play… I don’t care about that play. It was only one play.”

As Munford deflects the idea he was dominated by Hutchinson during the loss, the stat sheet shows off the case for the Michigan defender. He racked up three sacks against Ohio State this season and helped solidify his place as a Heisman Trophy finalist alongside a group of quarterbacks.