Aidan Hutchinson's jersey number revealed ahead of rookie camp
Aidan Hutchinson has officially made his transition from Michigan football to the NFL. The former Wolverine EDGE defender showed up in Allen Park to Detroit Lions rookie camp this weekend with his jersey number officially set.
Unsurprisingly, it is the one he made famous in Ann Arbor.
The Lions announced the numbers for their rookie class on Friday with Hutchinson – the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft – donning No. 97. Now that things are official, his jerseys are available in the team store. His fellow first-round Lions teammate, Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams, chose No. 18.
The Lions say the numbers are subject to change, but Hutchinson’s number feels like a safe bet.
Hutchinson’s contract is for four years totaling $35.7 million. Included is a signing bonus of $23,153,372 and a fifth-year option that can be exercised prior to his fourth season in the league. Rookie deals are slotted in the NFL per the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
Hutchinson, who played in 43 career games at Michigan, was a Consensus All-American in 2021 and a two-time All-Big Ten honoree. Hutchinson, a two-time captain, is the program record-holder for sacks in a single season, notching 14 for the Wolverines in 2021. His play earned him runner-up honors in the Heisman Trophy race.
Aidan Hutchinson joins Michigan alums in Detroit history
Hutchinson was the first Michigan player selected by the Lions since guard Graham Glasgow and quarterback Jake Rudock in 2016. Before then, the last Wolverine to come off the board to Detroit was offensive tackle Jeff Backus in 2001. Hutchinson is the first defensive player from Ann Arbor selected by Detroit since Garland Rivers in 1987.
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Hutchinson is the third first-round pick from Michigan in Lions history. The other two were fullback Bob Westfall (1942) and Backus. Wide receiver Terry Barr (third-round pick, 1957) is the only former Wolverine to make a Pro Bowl as a Lion. He was also on the last team to win a championship with the team as part of the 1957 roster.
The Lions are in the midst of a culture change and organizational revamp. Hutchinson is plenty familiar with that dynamic and is ready to empty the tank just 45 minutes east of Ann Arbor.
“To the city, just know I’m gonna give it my all,” Hutchinson said after the selection on April 28. “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.”
Hutchinson will make his regular-season Detroit debut on Sept. 11 at Ford Field against the Philadelphia Eagles. He has opened as DraftKings’ odds-on favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year honors (+400).
