How adversity, Mike Macdonald prepared Aidan Hutchinson for NFL Draft
Aidan Hutchinson arrived at the 2022 NFL Combine in Indianapolis looking to cement his status as one of the top prospects in the class. This may not have been the case without some adversity during his college career at Michigan.
Coming off of an ankle injury suffered in the pandemic-altered 2020 season, Hutchinson returned for one last ride with the Wolverines. What followed was a program-record 14 sacks, a victory over Ohio State and Big Ten Championship. It was a campaign he planned in his head for a long time.
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“The year that I had last year was something that I was thinking about for a very long time,” Hutchinson said during his media session. “I always knew I had the ability to do it, but I think thanks to coach Mac and the defense he brought in, and me just getting better as a football player, it was a combination of those things.
“This Michigan team we had this year, we rose from the ashes. I mean, no one thought we were going to be anything. And we did something that many thought was impossible. So I’m hoping wherever I go, you know, we can do the same.”
How adversity changed the outlook
Hutchinson and the 2018 recruiting class went through a lot, whether it be 2018 and 2019 losses to Ohio State, underwhelming finishes to seasons and more. He is not the same player or person that he was coming into college. Hutchinson knows that.
“I think I’ve just gotten more mature,” he said. “In my game, I’m a completely different player than what I was my freshman year. You can’t compare to 2018 Aidan to now. I’m completely different and confident in my game. I’m ready to go.”
The hard work paid off in 2021 with years of turmoil paying off in a championship campaign. After a taste of the title, Hutchinson hopes he can carry it to the NFL.
“It’s been a journey at Michigan with a lot of adversity,” Hutchinson said. “Finally my senior year, we came out on top and won a championship. So, I think it’s a great story with me, and I’m glad and I’m happy about all the adversity I went through because I think it’s made me the man I am today.”
Hutchinson’s path to the NFL was also shaped by defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who spent one season in Ann Arbor before rejoining the Baltimore Ravens. Macdonald unleashed him in 2021 and he hopes his next coordinator follows suit.
“Mike really influenced me by giving me a lot of freedom in the defense, and allowing me to just let loose,” Hutchinson said. “And that’s when I feel like I’m best, is when the coordinator trusts me and I trust him and we’re both on the same page.”
Hutchinson’s possible destinations
Hutchinson is projected to come off the board early on draft night, potentially No. 1 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Most mock drafts have the Jags going with an offensive tackle given their need to protect Trevor Lawrence. A huge weekend at the combine could make Hutchinson too good to pass up.
That would be an honor he embraces wholeheartedly.
“It would mean a lot (to go No. 1),” Hutchinson said. “A lot of hard work has gone into this. It’s been a very long journey, but I’m ready to start a new chapter.”
Many Michigan fans are rooting for Hutchinson to fall to No. 2 overall to the hometown Detroit Lions. He went to high school just down the road at Dearborn Divine Child and would be one of the stories of the draft if he wound up close to home.
“It would definitely be cool,” Hutchinson said. “I would be living close to home. It would definitely make the transition a bit easier to the NFL, just being so close to home and being close to my parents.”
