PRO BLUE

Aidan Hutchinson one of three finalists for Defensive Rookie of the Year

The accolades just keep rolling in for Lions rookie Aidan Hutchinson.

Published

2 months ago

January 25, 2023

Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson collected three sacks against Ohio State. Syndication Detroit Free Press | © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

It’s that time of the year when we look to the NFL Honors to determine who had the best seasons from the previous year. Wednesday morning, finalists for eight of the Associated Press 2022 NFL Awards were announced. Attached to one of the awards this year was a familiar name to most Michigan football fans: Aidan Hutchinson.

Hutchinson flew into the forefront in 2021 as he had a stellar senior season wearing the maize and blue. On the year, Hutchinson recorded a Michigan football record 14 sacks, along with two forced fumbles. He would be selected as a Heisman finalist and the No.2 overall selection in the NFL Draft, taking his talents down the road to the Detroit Lions.

Rookie Season

With Hutchinson going No. 2 overall in the draft, naturally, plenty of debate followed as everyone has opinions. Many had concerns about his arms, which measured below average in length, and many attributed his success in 2021 to having David Ojabo on the other side of the defensive line.

Still, he did not budge as he would go on to have a phenomenal rookie season. On the year, Hutchinson recorded 52 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries. One of the craziest stats, however, might be the fact that he also recorded three interceptions on the year. These were not only his first interceptions in the NFL but also the first interceptions he’d recorded in his entire football career.

Aside from stats, Hutchinson was a significant part in helping the Lions to their first winning season since 2017. Detroit went 9-8 on the year and was in the running for a playoff spot up until the very last day. The future for the Detroit Lions is bright, and Aidan Hutchinson will be a big part of it.

DROY Competition

While Aidan Hutchinson may have had a great season overall, he wasn’t the only rookie to take major steps forward this year. He’s one of three finalists for the award, with Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner and Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen taking the other two slots.

Like Hutchinson, Gardner was a high draft pick and had expectations through the roof. He went No. 4 overall in the first round and played like he deserved it. On the year, Gardner recorded 75 tackles and two interceptions. While the interception numbers weren’t necessarily there, he more than made up for it in passes defended as he led the league with 20.

Tariq Woolen, on the other hand, slipped quite a bit in the draft as he was selected in the fifth round as the No. 153 pick overall. Picking him up turned out to be an absolute steal for the Seahawks, as Woolen had a fantastic rookie season and has an excellent argument for defensive rookie of the year. Woolen recorded 63 tackles, six interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and 16 passes defended this season.

Both Gardner and Woolen had incredible seasons, not only for a rookie but for the entire league. I can’t help but wonder if Aidan Hutchinson’s versatility should give him the edge, but ultimately it’s not up to me. This NFL season provided some of the best rookie talent we’ve seen in recent memory, so whoever wins the award will be more than deserving.

The winner of the award will be announced during the annual NFL Honors ceremony on February 9, 2023, at 9:00 p.m. EST. The event will air live on NBC, NFL Network, and Peacock.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com or DM him on Twitter, @CJsWrld_.

Up Next

Jake Moody wins offensive MVP in East-West Shrine Bowl

Don't Miss

Seven former Wolverines still in the hunt for a Super Bowl ring

Click to comment

PRO BLUE

Ohio State player takes shot at Michigan football at NFL Combine

A former All-Big Ten Buckeye had some choice words about the Wolverines during the combine.

Published

3 weeks ago

March 5, 2023

CJ Mangum

Nov 27, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Cornelius Johnson (6) runs the ball in for a touchdown defended by Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Cameron Brown (26) at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

There has been plenty of talk about the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry this week throughout the NFL Combine. The top athletes from Ohio State and Michigan football are showing off and showing out, and with that, there have been quite a few questions about ‘The Game’ from reporters. During the combine, former Ohio State cornerback Cameron Brown had some words for the Wolverines.

What did Brown say about Michigan football?

First off, Buckeye corner Cameron Brown claimed that he has had “No issue” with the Wolverines that he has seen during the combine workouts. Still, he followed it up with a shot at Michigan football:

[Michigan football players] can’t talk to me much,” Brown said with the implication that the Wolverines aren’t on his level. “[Michigan] won two games in the last 15,” Brown said, “They got it. They can have that.” According to Cleveland.com, Brown said that watching Michigan celebrate both wins like it had won something bigger than one game – parading around the field, planting their flag at midfield in Columbus – struck him as funny.

It is notable to point out that Cameron Brown will leave Ohio State with a losing record against Michigan football as a starter, and his last game in ‘The Shoe’ was a 45-23 beat down at the hands of Harbaugh’s Wolverines.

Michigan, Ohio State players appear to be getting along fine

Throughout the week, former Buckeyes and Wolverines have had shockingly kind words of one another at the combine. Former Michigan football standout Mike Morris had nothing but good things to say about a few of the Buckeyes that he had met, and the same was true of Ohio State players with some Wolverines. Things aren’t getting too chummy, but there may be a little hope that Wolverines and Buckeyes can get along.

For now, the rivalry can be settled on the field, just as Michigan football has done in blowout fashion for the past two years.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

PRO BLUE

WATCH: Ronnie Bell has insane one-handed catch at combine

Does this look familiar or what, Michigan fans?

Published

3 weeks ago

March 5, 2023

CJ Mangum

Does this look familiar, Michigan football fans? It should, because once again, former Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Ronnie Bell is turning heads on the biggest stage. During Bell’s combine performance on Saturday, he somehow snagged a ball out of the air with one hand after slipping up — it was arguably the most impressive moment of the day in front of the NFL’s top scouts.

Ronnie Bell snags ball one-handed

Here is the clip of Bell’s catch:

Nice little one-hander from @UMichFootball WR Ronnie Bell. 🖐️

📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/BC8ezTZzLS

— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2023

This is a familiar sight for Michigan fans

All Michigan football fans should not be surprised at Bell’s catch, after all, he did the exact same thing (in a game) against Western Michigan in 2021. Sadly, that catch was called back, so Bell followed it up with an incredible 76-yard touchdown grab soon after.

Now, Bell is in front of the nation’s top scouts trying to make an impression on his draft stock ahead of this year’s NFL Draft in April. He will need more than just one impressive catch at the combine; however, this is a good start — as many know, Bell is an incredible receiver with great hands, speed, and plenty of heart. No matter where he ends up, we’re confident that Bell will make an immediate splash in the National Football League this fall.

PRO BLUE

Michigan football likely won’t have a first round draft pick in 2023

Of the nine Michigan Wolverines heading to this year’s NFL Draft, none are projected higher than mid-2nd round.

Published

1 month ago

February 16, 2023

CJ Mangum

Oct 2, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Chase Wolf (2) is sacked by Michigan Wolverines linebacker David Ojabo (55) and defensive end Mike Morris (90) during the fourth quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Well, it’s that time of year again — the NFL Draft is fast approaching and much of the talent that made the 2022 college football season fun is preparing to make the jump to the next level. Michigan football is no stranger to this time of year, U-M holds the longest NFL Draft streak in the nation, though the Wolverines usually expect to have at least one of its star players go in the first round.

This year may be an exception to that, which is especially odd considering the fact that Michigan football won a Big Ten Championship a season ago and finished with a 13-1 record; in fact, the season before, the Michigan Wolverines saw similar success, going 12-2 and winning the Big Ten title. It’s an odd phenomenon, but don’t expect a ‘Michigan Man’ to get his name called on day one of the NFL Draft.

Who is Michigan football putting in the draft?

Despite having zero projected first rounders in this year’s NFL Draft, the Wolverines are putting the most talent into the league of any team in the conference. Michigan leads the Big Ten with nine players heading to the NFL Combine before the draft, though there is a chance that not all nine are picked up immediately, and may have to wait until after the draft to sign with a team.

Here are the nine Michigan Wolverines looking to make an NFL roster:

Ronnie Bell, WR
Ryan Hayes, OL

Jake Moody, K
Olu Oluwatimi, OL
Mazi Smith, DL

Mike Morris, DE
Brad Robbins, P
Luke Schoonmaker, TE

DJ Turner, DB

Of these Wolverines, only one is projected to be drafted within the first two rounds of the NFL Draft: Mazi Smith. In fairness, some of this has to do with positional value — Robbins and Moody would be far higher on some mock drafts if punters and kickers were as valuable as running backs and wide outs.

Only one Wolverine projected to go in second round

According to NFL.com’s most recent 3-round mock draft, Mazi Smith is the first Wolverine off the board, going No. 42 overall to the Cleveland Browns. There, he would join former Michigan legends Donovan Peoples-Jones and Chase Winovich.

After Smith, the next Michigan football alum off the board is Mike Morris, who is projected to go at No. 179 overall to the Indianapolis Colts — this would be a great fit for Smith, who is used to playing in Indy from his days as a Wolverine. The other seven Wolverines are all projected to go after the third round.