Chris Hinton explains decision to go pro, who he thinks replaces him at Michigan

One of the most surprising Michigan football departures this offseason came from defensive tackle Chris Hinton. He was only a junior and had not appeared on draft boards entering the process. Since he declared, most outlets have him pegged as a late-round pick or priority free agent.

But sometimes, it just feels right.

Hinton declared for the draft and has been training in San Diego since the end of Michigan’s season. He felt like he had all the feedback he needed to follow his heart.

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“I talked to my dad with his 13 years playing in the NFL,” he said on Friday at the 2022 NFL Combine. “A lot of experience and knowledge about the game and then talking to people in my inner circle, we felt like it was the best decision to leave this year.

“Being a junior and having that option to come back to Michigan, it’s not an easy decision because it’s always that ‘what if’ situation. I talked to a couple of people and those guys said that whatever decision you make, go full-steam ahead with it. If it’s to come back or to go to the NFL, just don’t look back. At the end of the day, you’re the one who has to live with that decision, and I’m happy with that decision. I’ve been attacking my training and looking forward to competing here.”

Feedback so far and the draft process

Hinton has much more to gain than most during the pre-draft process. He was an underclassmen, so he did not appear in any all-star events. He also comes in as an under-the-radar prospect. The combine in Indy and Michigan’s upcoming pro day is where he will need to sell himself.

“I’ve been enjoying this process,” Hinton said. “It’s a lot and you never know what it entails at the combine. I’ve been enjoying every step of the process and it’s a blessing. Not everybody gets this opportunity to be at the combine and I’m happy I’m able to put my best foot forward.”

He believes he brings a versatile skill-set that is not scheme-dependent to an NFL franchise. The early feedback from teams has been positive from his perspective.

“The teams like my game a lot,” Hinton said. “They say I’m an aggressive player and that I can stop the run. It feels I can use my quickness to my advantage as well and push the pocket and get some pressure on the quarterback.

“I think I can play in any type of scheme, honestly. I’m strong enough to be a two-gap player. I’m also quick enough to be a two-gap player and get upfield. That’s what we played with [former defensive coordinator Don Brown]. When [Mike Macdonald] came, we played more of a two-gap system. I feel like I’m suited for every system.”

Hinton feels like the strides he made this season were enough to set him up for success. It helped that he was able to get on the field at Michigan early, playing in 32 games with 19 starts in three years.

“One thing that helped me this year was my base,” he said. “That was one thing I wanted to improve on a lot, just keeping a solid base throughout the play, and hand placement. Those two things helped me improve my game to a different level this year.”

Hinton dishes on relationship with his father

Hinton’s father, also named Chris, was a 13-year NFL veteran and seven-time Pro Bowler on the offensive line. The Denver Broncos made him the No. 4 overall pick in 1983 and then shipped him to the Baltimore Colts in exchange for quarterback John Elway. Hinton was featured in ESPN’s 30-for-30 special on the 1983 NFL Draft, which provided his son with perspective on the NFL.

“A couple of years back, when we did the ESPN ‘30-for-30,’ I was still young and I didn’t truly know how pivotal he was,” he said. “I was like, ‘They’re doing a ‘30-for-30 on you?’ He was like, ‘Yeah, I was kind of a big deal.’ It’s cool, the older you get the more you learn about how big a part he was in his career, and how great his career was. Hopefully, I can follow in the footsteps of my pops.”

“I give him the most praise. He has all the credentials to be on my butt 24/7. He allows me to come to him when I have questions and seek information from him and he takes a backseat. When I ask questions he gives 100 percent and I’m so thankful for the role he’s played in my career. I know he’s going to be there every step of the way in this next chapter.”

One piece of advice sticks out the most as the younger Hinton goes through the draft process.

“The piece of advice he gave me is be where your feet are,” he said. “Don’t think too far ahead. Enjoy this moment. This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment and it’s great to be here. It’s great to be at the combine and is a blessing. He said to just capitalize on it and enjoy the time here. You are only going to get this time once.”

Michigan’s next in line

Michigan now has a Hinton-sized hole to fill in the starting lineup with his early declaration. Sophomore Kris Jenkins and redshirt freshman Rayshaun Benny are projected to compete for the role and he sees a bright future for both.

“You still have Mazi Smith and he’s a phenomenal football player,” Hinton said. “Kris Jenkins is also a great football player and I feel like he’s going to flourish this year. Rayshaun Benny, that’s the big one. He has a lot of special talent. You have Dom Giudice, George Rooks, a handful of kids in that sophomore class that needs to take that step this year. I have a lot of confidence that they will. I don’t think the defense will take a step back. They will move forward and have a great year.”

Benny was a name that was praised throughout his freshman year for how he looked behind the scenes. Hinton saw it and thinks he is the next in line at Michigan.

“Rayshaun has some intangible skills that you can’t teach. He’s a monster and a dog. I have high expectations for Rayshaun. I have a high amount of confidence that he can fulfill those expectations.”