79 days until Michigan football: Jeff Backus, Aidan Hutchinson and other Detroit Lions draft picks
There’s much anticipation heading into the Michigan Wolverines football season, and TheWolverine.com is counting down the days until the Sept. 2 opener against East Carolina. We’ll discuss current Michigan events, the upcoming season and/or take a look at a significant number that correlates with how many days remain until kickoff, whether it be a player’s jersey number, a year, a date, a score, etc.
Jeff Backus was a standout offensive tackle at Michigan, before being picked by the Detroit Lions No. 18 overall in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft. The Wolverines have had three players chosen in the first round on two occasions — in 1995 and 2001, when Backus, wideout David Terrell and offensive lineman Steve Hutchinson were all taken.
Backus, of course, went to the Detroit Lions, with which he played the entirety of his NFL career until he retired following the 2012 campaign. A Georgia native, Backus didn’t stay ‘home’ like Aidan Hutchinson (Plymouth, Mich.) did last spring, but he didn’t have far to go.
Backus is one of the top success stories for Michigan players going to the Lions, with U-M/Detroit fans holding him near and dear to their hearts from college to the pros. Hutchinson is well on his way, too, after finishing second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting last season.
Backus started all 191 games he played during his career in Detroit, with a streak of 186 consecutive games played. He never made the Pro Bowl but was a mainstay on the offense for a decade.
Hutchinson — the No. 2 overall pick in 2022 — led all rookies with 9.5 sacks last season and was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team. He contributed 52 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hits, 3 interceptions, 3 pass breakups and 2 fumble recoveries.
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There have been other examples of the Lions drafting Michigan players — as our Anthony Broome chronicled with an article last year — with varying degrees of success. In 2016, the franchise selected two Wolverines — quarterback Jake Rudock and offensive lineman Graham Glasgow. Rudock played in three games and spent most of his career on the practice squad. But Glasgow made 58 starts in 62 games, at both center and guard. He went to the Denver Broncos in free agency in 2020, but has re-joined the Lions this offseason.
Prior to 2001, the Lions hadn’t drafted a Michigan player since defensive back Garland Brooks in 1987. Other U-M-to-Detroit products include offensive tackle Rich Strenger in 1983, linebacker Andy Cannavino in 1981, defensive back Dwight Hicks in 1978, quarterback/wide receiver Dennis Franklin and linebacker Steve Strinko in 1975, defensive tackle Pete Newell in 1971 and defensive back George Hoey in 1969.
Michigan football countdown to kickoff
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