The potential No. 1 pick has officially declared for the 2022 NFL Draft. He just might be staying in state.
Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson announced his decision to turn pro Wednesday after a season in which be broke the school record for sacks and finished second in Heisman voting. Naturally, the Lions are guaranteed to pick in the top two and could desperately use a pass-rusher like Hutchinson.
Hutchinson said via Twitter that he "spent years visualizing the actual moments that unfolded in my final season at Michigan," like the program's long-awaited victory over Ohio State. He said the win was "10 years in the making and an unforgettable night with by brothers" who "proved with me time and time again that nothing is impossible and 2% is still 2%."
The Wolverines were given a two percent chance of winning the Big Ten at the start of this season before claiming Michigan's first outright conference title in nearly 20 years.
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The consensus All-American and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Hutchinson finished with 14 sacks -- and 74 QB pressures -- in 14 games. He also posted the highest overall defensive grade in the country, according to Pro Football Focus.
He decided to return for his senior season after a fractured ankle limited him to three games last season and analysts pegged him as a Day 2 pick in the 2021 draft. Clearly, the right decision.
"To all my coaches," Hutchinson said. "You believed in me and I believed in you. That was life-changing. The impact of experiencing great coaches and even better men is rare and I will always be indebted to you."
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Hutchinson also thanked his family and friends and the Michigan fanbase who "rallied through some tough losses with unwavering support." The Wolverines bounced back from last year's 2-4 season to win 12 games for just the third time in program history.
Hutchinson was arguably the biggest reason why.
"My Michigan legacy is complete, and it was truly the best time of my life," he said. "Onward and upward to the 2022 NFL Draft. Thank you for everything, Wolverine Nation and beyond … Breathe in God and Forever Go Blue!"
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