Eight Michigan football players invited to NFL Draft Combine
The NFL released the list of players invited to the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, with eight Michigan football players making the cut. A total of 324 prospects are invited to attend this year’s combine, which will take place in Indianapolis from March 1 through March 7.
Michigan’s eight invitees are tied with Penn State for the most of any Big Ten program.
Cornerback Vincent Gray, running back Hassan Haskins, defensive back Daxton Hill, defensive tackle Christopher Hinton, defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, outside linebacker David Ojabo, linebacker Josh Ross and offensive lineman Andrew Stueber will represent Michigan at the event.
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Hutchinson is a candidate for the No. 1 pick, and all eyes will be on how he performs on the combine. Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux is also in contention, and many analysts believe whoever tests better will have the leg up heading into the NFL Draft, which runs from April 28 to April 30.
Two others — Ojabo and Hill — could be first-round picks. Ojabo is widely expected to be, while Hill — due to the nature of his position as a safety — has an outside shot and will more than likely land in the early second round.
Haskins was a workhorse at Michigan, breaking the program’s single-season record with 20 rushing touchdowns, and is a likely mid-round pick. He accepted an invite to the Reese’s Senior Bowl but did not participate due to an ankle injury.
Stueber, meanwhile, did play in the Senior Bowl, and was a big winner coming out of the week. Both analysts and coaches were impressed with his performances at both practices and in the game. He was named to Sports Illustrated’s 2022 All-Senior Bowl National Team and drew praise from The Athletic.
“Detroit’s certainly familiar with Stueber and saw the Jets rep the former Michigan right tackle at both guard and center last week,” the site’s Nick Baumgardner and Chris Burke wrote, naming the former Michigan lineman as a member of the ‘All-Senior Bowl Team for the Detroit Lions’ needs.’ “Stueber is a smart, experienced mauler. He won’t be physically bullied by anyone in his square, and he’s smart enough to know how to work around his mobility issues.
“If that reminds you of a larger-framed [Lions offensive lineman] Jonah Jackson then, well, you’ve been paying attention. Stueber could be a swing tackle in a pinch, though it’s unclear whether his foot speed will hold up on the edge. He did play guard early in his career at Michigan.
“He played in 34 games at Michigan and was part of the Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line in 2021.”
He’s expected to be picked on Day 3 — rounds four through seven — but is a sleeper. Hinton is in a similar boat.
Gray and Ross are fighting to be drafted, and the combine will be a great opportunity for the trio to impress scouts. Other Michigan draft hopefuls include safety Brad Hawkins and center Andrew Vastardis, with neither receiving combine invites.
