The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1468055
16 THE WOLVERINE JUNE / JULY 2022 INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS 49% 49% of the Tennessee Titans' offensive plays were rushes last season, the second-highest mark in the league behind the Philadelphia Eagles, giving fourth-round draft pick Hassan Haskins the opportu- nity to receive carries despite being behind star Derrick Henry. BY THE NUMBERS 2 2 Straight NFL Drafts in which Michigan has had a running back come off the board, after a 12-year drought between Mike Hart in 2008 and Chris Evans in 2021. Michigan's all-time leading rusher, Hart is now the team's running backs coach. HASSAN HASKINS, who was picked by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round, benefited greatly from Hart's guidance last season, rushing for 1,327 yards and 20 touchdowns. 4 Consecutive drafts with a first-round pick, a feat Michigan ac- complished for the first time since 1993-96 when Aidan Hutchin- son was taken by the Detroit Lions at No. 2 and Dax Hill was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 31. The Wolverines actu- ally registered at least one first rounder in six straight drafts from 1991-96, spanning the Gary Moeller and early Lloyd Carr coaching eras. The 2022 draft also marked the third time head coach Jim Harbaugh has had two first-round picks since 2017. Linebacker Devin Bush and defensive end Rashan Gary were both chosen in the first round in 2019, while cornerback Jourdan Lewis and defensive end Taco Charlton were taken in the first round in 2017. Prior to 2017, Michigan hadn't had multiple first-rounders since 2005 (Braylon Edwards and Marlin Jackson). 9 Michigan edge rushers have been se- lected in the last six drafts (since 2017), including Aidan Hutchinson (No. 2, first round to the Detroit Lions) and David Ojabo (No. 45, second round to the Bal- timore Ravens) this year. The Wolver- ines' other edge picks during that time frame are: Rashan Gary (No. 12 pick, 2019), Kwity Paye (No. 21, 2021), Taco Charlton (No. 28, 2017), Josh Uche (No. 60, 2020), Chris Wormley (No. 74, 2017), Chase Winovich (No. 77, 2019) and Mi- chael Danna (No. 177, 2020). 14 14 Driving miles from Dearborn (Mich.) Divine Child — Aidan Hutchinson's high school — to Ford Field, the Detroit Li- ons' home stadium. A native of nearby Plymouth, Mich., Hutchinson didn't grow up a Lions fan, instead rooting for former Michigan quarterback Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, but he later admitted he was hoping to stay home in Detroit. He got his wish and now doesn't have far to move. 16 16 Sell-out crowds for Michigan hockey in 2021-22, a program record. The Wol- verines went 17-5-1 at Yost Ice Arena, with home sweeps of Lake Superior State, Michigan State, Penn State, Niagara and defending national champion UMass. 392 392 Overall NFL Draft picks for Michi- gan, which slots fif th all time. N o t r e D a m e leads the way with 522, followed by USC (519), Ohio State (479) and Oklahoma (409). Alabama is just behind Michigan with 391. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL