LOOK: Aidan Hutchinson sends message to Detroit Lions fans
Former Michigan star Aidan Hutchinson is staying home after being drafted by the Detroit Lions Thursday night, and is certainly not taking the opportunity to be the cornerstone of a rebuilding defense of his home-state team and sent message to his new fanbase letting them know he’s all in heading into his rookie season.
“What an absolute honor and blessing to be in the position that I’m in. Detroit, let’s ride,” Hutchinson wrote.
As the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, former Michigan star Aidan Hutchinson will be able to sign a four-year, $35.7 million contract with the Detroit Lions, including a $23.1 million signing bonus. The contract comes fully guaranteed with a 5th year option available.
The Detroit Lions ensured Hutchinson, a Michigan native, will stay close to home a will live comfortably doing so. Hutchinson was a consensus All-American in 2021 and a two-time All-Big Ten honoree. He was also twice named a captain of the team and has a laundry list of other awards he racked up following this past season. Hutchinson is the program record-holder for sacks in a single season, notching 14 for the Wolverines in 2021, which was enough to earn the No. 2 pick in the draft and a boatload of cash to boot.
Top 10
- 1New
Traeshon Holden apology
Oregon WR pens apology after spitting ejection
- 2
SEC fines LSU
SEC levies fine for Death Valley field storm
- 3Hot
AP Poll Top 25
Top 10 shakeup in AP Poll
- 4
Baker bites back
Mayfield addresses Texas flag troll
- 5
Coaches Poll shake up
Top 25 sees big movement
“To the city, just know I’m gonna give it my all,” Hutchinson said after the selection. “It was such an honor to be on that stage and be picked by the Lions. It was the Lions all the way. The whole draft process I wanted them to pick me. And I’m so grateful that I went No. 2 to them.”
With Thursday’s selection, Hutchinson became the Wolverines’ highest draft pick since Jake Long went first overall to the Miami Dolphins (2008). He’s also now the fourth Michigan player in the modern draft era to be selected in the top five, joining Long, wide receiver Braylon Edwards (No. 3, 2005), cornerback Charles Woodson (No. 4, 1998) and wide receiver Desmond Howard (No. 4, 1992). While Edwards struggled during the waning years of his career, the other three Michigan products had incredibly successful careers in the league.
Hutchinson will look to be the next NFL star out of Michigan, but the only difference betweeen him and the other greats is that Hutchinson gets to continue his legacy as close to Ann Arbor as possible — approximately 45 minutes away, in fact.